The cervidae family.

Part seven the Chinese water deer.

The reed swamps and grassy river valleys of north-east china are the original home of the Chinese water deer. They were introduced to England at woburn park, Bedfordshire, early this century. Animals bred there were supplied to whipsnade park and also to private landowners, who in return sent them to other parks in several counties. After several escapes occurred and a few feral populations have become established. The two main spots are the cambridgeshire fens and the broads of east anglia, where there are wetlands and dense reed beds and clumps of alder that provides thick cover. Unlike any other male deer in Britain, the Chinese water deer has no antlers but has tusk like teeth protruding about two and a half inches below their upper lip. The deer is slightly higher at the haunch than at the shoulder, and in summer is a sleek red-brown. It has large, rounded ears which are very furry on the inside. The buck stands about twenty four inches high at its shoulder, with the female being slightly smaller. Feral Chinese water deer are usually solitary or in very small groups. In contrast, the deer that live in parks gather in large groups, because of this they are easily seen. They leap and bound through the long grass, their hind legs are flung high in a manner like hares. Their rutting season is between November and December. They bark, whicker and squeak as they chase each other. Fawns are born about June and are spotted. Twins and triplets are usual, but sextuplets may occur. Many fawns will die not long after birth. The tail is short and held close to the rump. It is inconspicuous, especially during winter, the deer's coat is a pale grey-brown colour during winter. The Chinese water deer feed mainly on grasses, rarely browsing on shrubs or trees. As with other ruminants, a period of grazing is followed by a period of rest, during which the deer chews the cud.