What do sika deer eat?
Sika deer feed from dusk through dawn on plants, grasses, marsh vegetation and agricultural crops like corn and soybeans. When do sika deer breed? Sika deer breed in the fall, beginning in late September. The gestation period lasts about seven months. Females give birth to a single calf, usually in May. Other facts about sika deer: • Sika deer are also called sika elk or Asian elk. • Sika deer are native to Japan and other Asian countries. They were first introduced on James Island in Dorchester County, Maryland, in 1916. • Sika deer communicate with one another using vocalizations, such as a distinctive “bark” when alarmed. • Even though they is an exotic species, sika deer do not directly compete with the native white-tailed deer for food and shelter, and therefore are not considered to be invasive.
