Water Deer

Water Deer

Chinese water deer, Asian water deer, Korean water deer

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Subfamily
Genus
SPECIES
Hydropotes inermis
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
12 years
Weight
9-14
19.8-30.8
kglbs
kg lbs 
Height
45-55
17.7-21.7
cminch
cm inch 
Length
75-100
29.5-39.4
cminch
cm inch 

The Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) is a small deer native to China and Korea. It was first described to the Western world by Robert Swinhoe in 1870. Water deer have developed long canine teeth which protrude from the upper jaw; it is due to these teeth that these animals are often referred to as "vampire deer".

Appearance

The Water deer has narrow pectoral and pelvic girdles, long legs, and a long neck. Its powerful hind legs are longer than the front legs so that the haunches are carried higher than the shoulders. The Water deer runs with rabbit-like jumps. In the groin of each leg is an inguinal gland used for scent marking; this deer is the only member of the Cervidae to possess such glands. The short tail is almost invisible, except when it is held raised by the male during the rut. The ears are short and very rounded, and both sexes lack antlers. The long canine teeth of the Water deer are fairly large in the males, ranging in length from 5.5 cm (2.2 in) on average to as long as 8 cm (3.1 in). Females, in comparison, have tiny canines that are an average of 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in length. The teeth usually erupt in the autumn of the deer's first year at approximately 6-7 months of age. The coat of the Water deer is an overall golden brown color and may be interspersed with black hairs, while the undersides are white. The strongly tapered face is reddish-brown or gray, and the chin and upper throat are cream-colored. The hair is longest on the flanks and rump. In the fall, the summer coat is gradually replaced by a thicker, coarse-haired winter coat that varies from light brown to grayish brown. Young are born dark brown with white stripes and spots along their upper torso.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Water deer occur in east-central China in the lower Yangtze Basin and in Korea. There are also small introduced populations in Great Britain and the United States They inhabit areas with tall reeds, rushes along rivers, mountain areas, and cultivated fields in tall grass. They also occur in open grasslands and swampy areas.

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Water deer tend not to congregate in herds and are generally found in pairs or alone. A male will not tolerate another buck in close proximity and will defend its territory against all rivals. They will tolerate the company of a few females, which may accompany the male to seek food and rest within his territory. Water deer are most active during mornings and evenings, and during the day usually hide within dense vegetation. When disturbed, they will run with a characteristic series of leaps like a rabbit. Despite not being gregarious, these deer will alert each other to danger with brief shrill barking. The does make a soft peeping to call their fawns, and an injured deer makes a screaming wail. Water deer are able to emit several more sounds. Their main call is a bark, which is used as an alarm, and water deer will bark repeatedly at people and each other for reasons unknown. If challenged during the rut, a buck will emit a clicking sound. It is uncertain how this unique sound is generated, although it is possible by using its molar teeth. During the rut, a buck following a doe will make a weak whistle or squeak.

Group name

Diet and Nutrition

Water deer are herbivorous (graminivorous) animals and eat coarse grasses, reeds, vegetables in cultivated areas, and other vegetation.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
November-January
PREGNANCY DURATION
170-210 days
BABY CARRYING
1-3 fawns
INDEPENDENT AGE
2 months
FEMALE NAME
doe, hind
MALE NAME
buck, stag
BABY NAME
fawn

Water deer have a polygynous mating system; a male mates with many females inside his own territory. The mating season is from November to January, with most births from May to July, following a gestation period of 170 to 210 days. Unusual amongst deer, females may bear up to 8 young, however, 1 to 3 is more common. After birth, a female will often leave her normal range to become solitary. Fawns spend most of their first few weeks hidden in vegetation, coming out only when their mother visits to feed them. Fawns are weaned when they are about 2 months old. Males are usually reproductively mature at 5 to 6 months of age, and females when they are 7 to 8 months old.

Population

Population threats

In their native habitat, Water deer are in serious decline due to habitat destruction and poaching. In some areas, they are hunted and are considered agricultural pests, and they are also hunted for their meat and for the use of semi-digested milk from the stomachs of unweaned fawns in traditional medicine. These animals are very sensitive to environmental change, and urban development and agriculture are important threats to their habitat. Much of their original range has been lost, the distribution of Water deer is continuing to decrease, and many populations are now quite small and fragmented.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, Water deer in the Republic of Korea is said to be «moderately widespread», particularly along the west coast, as well as within the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas, but its population cannot be estimated. Specific populations have been estimated within China: 500-1,1000 deer in the coastal areas of Jiangsu; 1,500 deer in the Zhoushan Islands; around 1,000 deer in the Poyang Lake region, and an additional 500 individuals in Anhui. The British water deer population is about 1000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • The Chinese water deer is able to swim for several kilometers, often moving back and forth between small islands in search of cover and food.
  • Water deer are territorial, so bucks regularly rub their foreheads on tree trunks to mark their territories.
  • Water deer fawns are capable of standing up within an hour after birth and can hide very well.
  • The Water deer is the only one of its species that doesn't have any antlers. Instead, it has long canine teeth that look like tusks. These canines are held loosely in their sockets, with their movements controlled by facial muscles. The male can draw them backward out of the way when eating. In aggressive encounters, he thrusts his canines out and draws in his lower lip to pull his teeth closer together. He then presents an impressive two-pronged weapon to rival males.
  • A deer has one main stomach as well as three "false stomachs." They chew their cud, as cows do, to fully digest their food.
  • A deer's eyes are on the sides of its head, enabling a 310-degree view. Such a wide view makes it hard to focus on one point. These animals have good night vision, being useful during early mornings and near dusk.
  • Deer can hear very well. They have many muscles near their ears which enable them to move their ears in every direction while keeping their heads still. They also can hear higher sound frequencies than humans.
  • Deer have a very sharp sense of smell and can detect predators from far away. They lick their noses to keep them moist, which assists odor particles sticking to them, enhancing their sense of smell.

References

1. Water Deer Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_deer
2. Water Deer on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10329/0

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