sika

Everyday

1. A sika is a kind of deer that came from East Asia (Japan, China, Taiwan); it is small to medium-sized with a reddish-brown coat with white spots in summer. tree →
2. Sika deer were brought to the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA, where they now live in the wild. tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons sika deer are an example of an animal brought from one country to another; in some places they harm young trees or mix with native red deer. In Nara, Japan, tame sika deer bow to visitors for biscuits. Phrases: sika deer, sika stag.

Examples

• A sika deer stepped out of the forest and froze. tree →
• Sika deer have white spots on their coats in summer. tree →
• In Nara, sika deer wander through the park and bow for snacks. tree →
• Sika were brought to Ireland and Britain over a hundred years ago. tree →
• In New Zealand, hunters track sika in the hills. tree →
• The sika stag made a high whistling call. tree →
• Sika and red deer can have babies together, which worries scientists. tree →

Note

Plural sika or sikas. The name comes from Japanese «shika», meaning deer. Pronounced SEE-kuh.