KENANSVILLE, Fla. — Most people associate spotted coats with young deer, but there’s a deer from Asia that can keep its spots well into adulthood.

The sika deer is one of the distinctive animals visitors can discover while exploring Wild Florida Adventure Park’s Drive-Thru Safari Park.

Native to East Asia, sika deer can vary considerably in size and appearance depending on their population and geographic origin.

One of their most recognizable characteristics is a spotted coat that can remain visible in adulthood, particularly during warmer months.

Male sika deer grow antlers and, like other members of the deer family, shed and regrow them.

Sika deer are also highly vocal animals. They can produce an assortment of sounds, particularly during breeding season, giving them another characteristic that distinguishes them from deer many Floridians are accustomed to seeing.

At Wild Florida, visitors have an unusual opportunity to compare animals from different parts of the world during the same drive.

The 170-acre Drive-Thru Safari Park features more than 150 exotic and native animals along a four-mile route.

Guests might encounter Florida’s familiar white-tailed deer and then discover sika deer from Asia, all while sharing the safari with giraffes, zebras, bison, wildebeest and other animals.

That’s what makes a safari experience more than simply seeing wildlife. It can be an opportunity to notice the differences — and similarities — among animals from dramatically different environments.

Visitors can continue their adventure at Wild Florida’s Gator Park or aboard an airboat traveling through the Headwaters of the Florida Everglades.

How many animals can your family discover in one day? There’s one way to find out.

Wild Florida Adventure Park is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed Sundays. Reservations can be made Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wild Florida is located at 3301 Lake Cypress Road, Kenansville, FL 34739.

For reservations or additional information, call 407-957-3135 or toll-free at 866-532-7167, or email info@wildfl.com.

Guests can also book a Wild Florida airboat adventure online.

Come discover the sika deer and see how many other animals your family can spot along Wild Florida’s four-mile safari.