
Sika Deer, Nara
Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) A medium-sized deer native to East Asia, named for the Japanese word for deer — and one of the few deer species that keeps its spots into adulthood. Over 1,000 sika deer roam freely through Nara Park year-round, protected since 1957 as national natural treasures; they famously bow to tourists in exchange for shika senbei crackers. Wikipedia | iNaturalist