Deer

The roe deer, an elegant forest dweller, is a common wild animal in Europe. This fact sheet provides a detailed overview of the biology and ecology of the roe deer and highlights the importance of its protection and conservation in natural habitats.

Roe deer reach a body length of 95 to 140 cm and weigh 15 to 30 kg. As herbivores, roe deer eat grasses, herbs, leaves, shoots, buds, fruits, acorns, and other mast. Their life expectancy is up to 16 years.

Deer for Garden, Nature Trail & Education

Profile: Deer

  • Scientific classification

    • Class: Mammalia (mammals)
    • Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)
    • Family: Cervidae (deer)
    • Subfamily: Capreolinae (true deer)
    • Genus: Capreolus
    • Species: Capreolus capreolus (European roe deer)

  • Physical characteristics

    • Size: Body length from 95-140 cm
    • Shoulder height: 63-75 cm
    • Weight: 15-30 kg, depending on gender and region
    • Special features: Reddish-brown fur in summer, grey-brown fur in winter, white patch on the buttocks, long, slender legs, ears with black borders.

  • Habitat and distribution

    • Common regions: Europe, parts of Asia
    • Habitat: Forests, meadows, fields, preferably near water; adaptable to different habitats.

  • Nutrition

    • Diet: Herbivore
    • Typical food: grasses, herbs, leaves, shoots, buds, fruits, acorns and other fattening crops.

  • Reproduction and lifestyle

    • Mating season: July to August
    • Gestation period: Approx. 9 months
    • Litter size: 1-3 fawns per litter
    • Brood care: Females raise the young alone
    • Social structure: Mostly in small family groups, solitary outside the mating season.

  • Lifespan and protection status

    • Life expectancy: Up to 16 years in the wild
    • Endangered status: Not threatened, but habitat loss, poaching and traffic accidents can affect local populations.
    • Conservation measures: conservation and protection of habitats, hunting regulation, education on wildlife management.

  • Tracks and Footprints

    • The Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) track consists of two narrow, pointed hooves – a delicate imprint often found in soft forest soil.
    Regarding the tracking stamp 

  • How big a roe deer really is

    • Fawn: 36 × 30 cm
    • Roebuck: 93 × 113 cm
    • Doe: 82 × 95 cm

    Dimensions of the life-size cutouts (width × height), printed at a 1:1 scale.

    To the exhibitors 

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