Whether you're exploring the wetlands of southern Britain or wandering through the marshy habitats of East Asia, you might get lucky and come across a rather odd-looking deer, looking all plush and cute until it reveals its scary-looking set of vampire-like fangs, making you question your own safety.
But don't worry: these solitary herbivores aren't out to suck your blood, but rather swap their antlers for another tool to rut with other males during mating season, showing just how creative nature can be by giving the animals a variety of characteristics.
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A real vampire deer
At first glance, a Chinese water deer (Unarmed hydropods) looks like a cross between a stuffed animal and a miniature moose. Their large round ears, dark button nose and large eyes give them an almost teddy bear-like charm.
According to Wildlife Foundationtheir coat is reddish-brown most of the year, dulling to a dull gray in winter, unlike most others deerThey lack the white rump patch that many species have.
Standing about 1.6 feet tall at the withers and weighing between 25 and 40 pounds, they are larger than a muntjac but smaller than a roe deer. When frightened, they do not run away like other deer, but rather recoil, leaping high into the air, creating an elegant spectacle among the reeds and marsh grass.
Small deer with long fangs
What really makes Chinese water deer stand out are their tusks, or more accurately, their elongated tusks. In males, these tusks can grow up to three inches long and usually erupt in the fall, when the deer is six to seven months old.
They are loose in the jaw and can be moved using the facial muscles, meaning that males can push them back during feeding and throw them forward when it's time to impress or challenge a rival during mating season.
Females also have tusks, but they are much shorter and often barely noticeable, it is reported British Deer Society. Because they do not have antlers, the tusks serve as both display and weapons, much like the antlers of other deer species. Interestingly, it is not only the Chinese water deer that has its bizarre appearance: the tufted deer, musk deer and muntjac also display similar appearances.vampireTeeth. Apparently nature has a few favorite tricks up its sleeve.
UK population growth after the opening of the zoo
The Chinese water deer, found in eastern China and Korea, prefers wetlands, reed beds and river banks—anywhere that is wet and thick enough to provide cover. They are good swimmers and are especially fond of plants such as comfrey.
Although their population is declining in their native range, they have found an unexpected refuge in the UK. The first deer were brought to London Zoo in 1873, and after several escapes, most notably from Whipsnade Zoo in 1929, they began to thrive in the wild.
Today, the majority of the UK population lives in the south east, accounting for approximately 10 percent of the species' total worldwide population. Despite their increasing range in Britain, water deer are still classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss in their countries of origin. However, their calm resilience and quirky appearance make them one of nature's cutest oddballs.
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Article Sources
Our authors in discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed research and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:
- This article uses information published in Wildlife Foundation: Chinese water deer
- This article uses information published in British Deer Society: Chinese water deer
