The water deer, Hydropotes inermis, is a small deer native to Korea and China. Unlike all other living true deer it has no antlers and instead the males carry long downward-pointing tusks, which are enlarged upper canine teeth. It was first described to Western science by Robert Swinhoe in 1870. The species lives along rivers, hidden by tall reeds and rushes, and is also seen on mountains, in swamps, in grasslands and on open cultivated fields. It swims well and can reach remote river islands. Korea holds the larger population, while the Chinese subspecies has declined sharply. An introduced population also lives in the United Kingdom.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) ThreatsBiological Resource Use 2 Relationship to People Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 2 Relationship to PeopleUsed in Traditional Medicine 2 Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Hydropotes inermis (Animal Diversity Web)
Additional Source Water deer (Wikipedia)Habitat and distribution, habitat
In Ecosystem
Source Water deer (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Water deer (Wikipedia)Lead, range (china)Quote, Lead, range (china)
The water deer (Hydropotes inermis) is a small deer species native to Korea and China.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Water deer (Wikipedia)Lead, range (south-korea)Quote, Lead, range (south-korea)
The water deer (Hydropotes inermis) is a small deer species native to Korea and China.
Sources
1. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)Row: hydropotes inermis, Diet columns (plant material 100%, fruit 0%, seed 0%)
5331 Hydropotes inermis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_3 D2 14000 Ref_117 1
Row: hydropotes inermis, Activity columns (Nocturnal 1)
5331 Hydropotes inermis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_3 D2 14000 Ref_117 1
Row: hydropotes inermis, Activity columns (Crepuscular 1)
5331 Hydropotes inermis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_3 D2 14000 Ref_117 1
Row: hydropotes inermis, Activity columns (Diurnal 1)
5331 Hydropotes inermis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_3 D2 14000 Ref_117 1
Row: hydropotes inermis, BodyMass-Value 14000 g (14.0 kg); band set by mass: medium from 1.2 kg to under 32 kg, large from 32 kg to under 1000 kg
5331 Hydropotes inermis Cervidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_3 D2 14000 Ref_117 1
View the Source 2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Hydropotes inermis (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyHabitat, Terrestrial Biomes
Terrestrial Biomes savanna or grassland savanna or grassland
Lifespan/Longevity, wild
Average lifespan Status: wild 12.0 years
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
In the wild, the Chinese water deer is heavily hunted in order to obtain colostrum, which is sold for use in folk medicine.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive, relationship to people
colostrum, which is sold for use in folk medicine
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
The Chinese water deer often comes into conflict with man when they eat his crops.
Conservation Status
In the wild, the Chinese water deer is heavily hunted.
View the Source 3. Water deer (Wikipedia)
Lead, range (china)
The water deer (Hydropotes inermis) is a small deer species native to Korea and China.
Lead, range (south-korea)
The water deer (Hydropotes inermis) is a small deer species native to Korea and China.
Lead
is a small deer species
Child Taxon Of: Cervidae, Lead, family placement
is a small deer species
In Group: Even-Toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), Lead, group placement
is a small deer species
In Biome: Grassland, Habitat and distribution, habitat
They are also seen on mountains, swamps, grasslands, and even open cultivated fields.
In Ecosystem: Freshwater ecosystem, Habitat
Water deer inhabit the land alongside rivers, where they are protected from sight by the tall reeds and rushes.
View the Source4. GBIF: Hydropotes inermis
GBIFDistributions, IUCN Red List threat statusQuote, Distributions, IUCN Red List threat status
threatStatus: VULNERABLE
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