Anyone know when sika deer are thought to have first appeared on earth?

Can't find it anywhere. Help please!Anyone know when sika deer are thought to have first appeared on earth?
If I have this correct, it should be Middle to late Pleistocene


Here is an article:


http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs鈥?/a>





seems to be ';The sika deer Cervus nippon appeared during the late Pleistocene '; so late according to the above article. Hope this helps.





(and in case you need it ) Pleistocene: An epoch of the Quaternary period, spanning the time between 1.8 million years ago and the beginning of the Holocene at 8,000 years ago. It is named after the Greek words ';pleistos'; (most) and ';ceno'; (new).Anyone know when sika deer are thought to have first appeared on earth?
As far as I know, the fossil species of deer common throughout Asia in the Pleistocene were very similar to sika deer (Cervus nippon). This would make the lineage about 2 million years old.
Sika Deer Sika Deer crossing the road - Photo by John White What do they look like?


Sika Deer are a small elk introduced into Maryland in 1916 by private citizens. They are 2 陆 feet high at the shoulder, weigh 50-100 pounds and originate from Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan). The sika deer coat is dark brown to black. Some have faint white parallel spots on their back. They also have a white rump. Males are larger than females and have antlers. Males also have a dark shaggy mane running down their neck.





Where are they found?


Sika deer inhabit marshes, swamps, and associated woodlands and agricultural fields in Dorchester county. They also inhabit Assateague Island in Worcester county. Recently, they have expanded their range into some marsh areas of western Somerset and Wicomico counties.





What do they eat?


Sika deer feed primarily at dusk through dawn on marsh vegetation, grasses and agricultural crops such as corn and soybeans.





What other kind of deer live in Maryland?


The white-tailed deer is the only native deer in Maryland and is widespread.





I didn't know that!


Sika deer usually only have one calf whereas white-tailed deer commonly have two fawns. Sika deer males (stags) are very territorial and keep harems of females (cows) during the breeding season or rut.