Chinese Water Deer Hydropotes inermis
As its name suggests this unusual deer is not a native UK species, having been introduced from China in the nineteenth century. It favours wet, marshy habitat and is a strong swimmer when it needs to.
Conservation status in Norfolk
Chinese Water Deer are currently not under threat in Norfolk and the numbers are probably increasing in Britain. However, in its native East Asia the species is declining and it is currently classified by the IUCN as Vulnerable.
How to help
Many deer are killed on Norfolk’s roads, including individuals of this species. Be especially careful when driving in rural areas at dawn and dusk when most accidents occur.
Craig Shaw
Information on the Chinese Water Deer
How to recognise
The diminutive Chinese water deer is only a little bigger than a dog and, standing only 50-55 cm tall at the shoulder, is likely to be mistaken for a muntjac or roe. Chinese water deer lack any white on their rumps whereas muntjac and roe display white bottoms. Chinese water deer stags never grow antlers but instead grow two tusks. These are modified canine teeth which project downwards from the corners of the mouth and are used for fighting during territorial disputes. Both sexes have large rounded ears which stand proud above the head and these, together with the three shiny black buttons on the face, formed by the eyes and nose, give this species a cute, ‘teddy-bear’ appearance when viewed face
Where to see
Chinese water deer are widely distributed in the Norfolk Broads and make use of the tall, wet fen vegetation for cover during the day before moving to more open areas of wet pasture to feed at night. Regular sightings of Chinese water deer are made at both NWT Hickling Broad and NWT Upton Broad and Marshes. Outside the Norfolk Broads there are irregular but increasing sighting along Norfolk river valleys and on the North Norfolk coast.
When to see
Dusk and dawn are by far the best times to observe Chinese water deer. The rutting season begins in October with bucks following does and making high pitched squeaks. November and December are the height of the rutting season with frequent fights between bucks using their tusks. Animals scarred by fighting may be seen at this time.
Did you know?
The UK population of Chinese water deer forms more than 10% of the world population.
Related questions
When and where is the best place to see deer rutting?
The best time to see deer is at dusk or dawn. Generally male and females remain in separate groups until it is time for mating.
Red Deer: Rut September to October. Red deer have been observed throughout the East Anglian region but rutting has specifically been reported at Minsmere reserve and Thetford forest. Events have been organised to observe rutting in previous years, check the
RSPB and
Forestry Commission websites for more information. Young red deer are born in early June.
Roe Deer: Rut July to August. The have embryonic diapause (which means the embryo waits to develop) so they don’t give birth until May/June. Roe deer can be seen in the Thetford Forrest.
Fallow Deer: Rut October to November and fawns are born May to June. A large herd can be seen at
Holkham Estate.
Chinese Water Deer: Rut November to December and fawns are born in May and June. They may be seen at
NWT Hickling Broad and
Strumpshaw Fen.
What is an alien wildlife species?
This term refers to species which are not native to an area or country and have been deliberately or accidentally introduced by people. Some alien wildlife species cause problems by competing with native species or carrying diseases which affect native species. Examples of invasive alien plants species include giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed. Alien animals in Norfolk include grey squirrels and mink which are native to North America and Chinese Water Deer and muntjac deer from Asia. Not all alien introductions are invasive or cause problems and birds such as little owls, pheasants, and red-legged partridge are non-native introductions but so much part of the Norfolk (and English) countryside that few would call them aliens.