deer

A majestic symbol of woodland and open countryside, the red deer is both ecologically and culturally significant. This fact sheet provides a detailed overview of the biology and lifestyle of the red deer and highlights the importance of its protection and conservation in natural habitats.

  • Scientific classification

    • Class: Mammals (Mammalia)
    • Order: Even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla)
    • Family: Deer (Cervidae)
    • Genus: Cervus
    • Species: C. elaphus (red deer)
  • Physical characteristics

    • Size: Body length from 1.6 to 2.5 m
    • Shoulder height: 1.1 to 1.5 m
    • Weight: 100 to 250 kg
    • Special features: Large, branched antlers in male deer (shed annually in winter), reddish fur in summer, grey-brown fur in winter, white spots on the hindquarters.
  • Habitat and distribution

    • Common regions: Europe, North America, Asia
    • Habitat: Diverse, from forests to open fields to mountainous regions; prefers deciduous and mixed forests.
  • Nutrition

    • Diet: Herbivore
    • Typical food: grasses, herbs, leaves, buds, shoots, bark and in autumn acorns and other fruits.
  • Reproduction and lifestyle

    • Mating season: rut in autumn (roaring of the stags)
    • Gestation period: Approx. 8 months
    • Young: One calf per gestation period, rarely twins
    • Lifestyle: Herd life with hinds and calves, territorial, migrations depending on the season.
  • Lifespan and protection status

    • Life expectancy: Up to 20 years in the wild
    • Endangered status: Varies by subspecies and region; threatened in some areas by habitat loss and hunting.
    • Conservation measures: preservation and protection of natural habitats, sustainable forestry, regulation of hunting.