In this manner, the cud chewing animals can quickly consume large quantities of low grade food, and when out of danger, digest it into useful food product. Sika Deer achieve a head and body length of 3-4.5 ft. At the shoulder they stand from just over 2 ft. to 2.75 ft. Weights range from 55 lb for females to over 70 lb for the males. They have numerous white spots arranged in 7 or 8 rows on their upper body.
Spots are more prominent in summer than in winter.
The chin, throat and belly are off white or gray, and both sexes have a dark neck mane in the winter. The antlers, found in both sexes, are narrow and erect and have from 2 to 5 points each, and measure about 12-26 in. Sika Deer prefer forested areas with dense undergrowth, but they adapt well to a variety of other habitats, including marshes and grasslands. Seasonal altitudinal movements over large distances have been reported in Japan, with summer ranges being higher and larger than winter ranges. Ussuri district of southeastern Siberia, Manchuria, Korea, eastern and southern China, northern Vietnam, Japan, Ryuku Islands, and Taiwan.