Mammal

Père David's Deer Facts Elaphurus davidianus

MammalReintroduced populations across China, with major conservation populations in Beijing, Jiangsu and HubeiHerbivore

Père David's deer, also called milu, is a Chinese wetland deer that survived in captivity after disappearing from the wild and has since been reintroduced in China.

Habitat: Wetland
Diet: Grasses, forbs and aquatic plants, with diet composition changing by season and habitat
Lifespan: Up to 27.5 years (maximum recorded longevity)

Classification

Family: Cervidae. Order: Artiodactyla.

Père David's Deer Habitat

Père David's Deer live in Wetland and Marsh and Swamp habitats. Their recorded range includes Reintroduced populations across China, with major conservation populations in Beijing, Jiangsu and Hubei. Suitable food, shelter, and conditions for raising young help shape that range.

What Do Père David's Deer Eat?

Diet classification: Herbivore. Recorded foods: Grasses, forbs and aquatic plants, with diet composition changing by season and habitat.

Père David's Deer Lifespan, Size, and Weight

Recorded lifespan: Up to 27.5 years (maximum recorded longevity). Recorded size: About 183–216 cm head-body length, plus a 22–35.5 cm tail. Recorded weight: 149 kg.

Quick facts

Region: Reintroduced populations across China, with major conservation populations in Beijing, Jiangsu and Hubei
Habitat: Wetland, Marsh, Swamp
Diet: Herbivore
Lifespan: Up to 27.5 years (maximum recorded longevity)
Size: About 183–216 cm head-body length, plus a 22–35.5 cm tail
Weight: 149 kg

Fun facts

China began rebuilding milu populations through reintroduction programs in the 1980s.
Père David's deer readily enter water and are strong swimmers compared with many other deer.
Studies of reintroduced populations show substantial seasonal flexibility in the plants they eat.

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