Chinese Water Deer Male Skull Replica

$151.00

The water deer is a small deer species native to Korea and China. Its prominent tusks, similar to those of musk deer, have led to both subspecies being colloquially named vampire deer.

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Description

Chinese water deer male skull replica measures 6.6″L. Chinese water deer male skull replica is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast from California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). Made in USA.

The Chinese water deer or Hydropotes inermis is a small deer superficially more similar to a musk deer than a true deer. Native to China and Korea, there are two subspecies: the Chinese water deer  and the Korean water deer.

The Chinese water deer has narrow pectoral and pelvic girdles, long legs, and a long neck. The powerful hind legs are longer than the front legs, so that the haunches are carried higher than the shoulders. They run with rabbit-like jumps.

The groin of each leg is an inguinal gland used for scent marking; the Chinese water deer are the only member of the Cervidae to possess such glands.

The short tail is no more than 3.8 inches in length and is almost invisible, except when it is held raised by the male during the rut. The ears are short and very rounded, and both sexes lack antlers.

Chinese water deer coat is an overall golden brown color, and may be interspersed with black hairs, while the undersides are white.

The strongly tapered face of the Chinese water deer is reddish brown or gray in color, and the chin and upper throat are cream colored. The hair is longest on the flanks and rump.

In the fall, the Chinese water deers summer coat is gradually replaced by a thicker, coarse-haired winter coat that varies from light brown to grayish brown.

Neither the head nor the tail poles are well differentiated as in gregarious deer; consequently, the water deers coat is little differentiated. Young are born dark brown with white stripes and spots along their upper torso.

Scientific classification:

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Artiodactyla
  • Family: Cervidae
  • Subfamily: Hydropotinae
  • Genus: Hydropotes
  • Swinhoe, 1870
  • Species: H. inermis
  • Binomial name: Hydropotes inermis (R. Swinhoe, 1870)
  • Conservation status: Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)

Complete a craniometry study with our Chinese water deer female skull.

Additional information

Weight 4 lbs
Dimensions 6.6 in