Ezo deer - Ezo deer (English spelling)

This animal is of the order Artiodactyla, family Cervidae. It is found in the forests and fields of Hokkaido. It has the largest body and antlers of any deer living in Japan. It can reach a head and body length of 1.5 meters, shoulder height of 1 meter, and weight of 100 kilograms. Only males have antlers, which are 72 to 82 centimeters long and usually have four branches, with the first, third, and fourth branches being longer, and the main shaft opening widely to the left and right. The antlers vary depending on the age of the animal, but they usually fall off in the spring. After the antlers fall off, new antlers immediately develop and reach mating status between August and October. This is the time of mating, and males gather only females and form small groups. In summer, their fur is strongly yellowish red, with white spots on the body. In winter, their fur is gray-brown and has no white spots. White spots can be seen on their rump all year round. They eat tree leaves, grass stems, leaves, and seeds, but if there is a shortage, they will even eat tree bark. The gestation period is about eight months, and they give birth to one or two babies at a time.

[Masanobu Kitahara]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

哺乳(ほにゅう)綱偶蹄(ぐうてい)目シカ科の動物。北海道の森林や原野に分布する。わが国に生息するシカのなかでは体や角(つの)がもっとも大きい。頭胴長1.5メートル、肩高1メートル、体重100キログラムの個体もある。角は雄だけにあり、長さ72～82センチメートル、普通4枝で、第1、第3、第4枝が長く、主軸は左右に広く開く。角は老若により異なるが、普通春に落角する。落角後はただちに新しい角が発達し、8～10月に完成する。このころ交尾期に入り、雄は雌だけを集め小群をつくる。被毛は夏毛では黄赤色みが強く、胴体に白斑(はくはん)がある。冬毛は灰褐色で白斑がない。臀(しり)には通年白斑がみられる。食物は樹葉、草の茎葉、種子であるが、不足すれば樹皮まで食べる。妊娠期間は約8か月で、1産1子か2子を産む。

［北原正宣］

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