Details
Cervus elaphus
A large Eurasian deer associated with woodlands, open grasslands, and mountains. Mature males are known for broad antlers and roaring during the rut.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Red deer occupy woodland, forest edge, grassland, heath, and upland slopes. Native range is mainly Palearctic, with introductions elsewhere.
The coat ranges from reddish brown to gray brown, often with a pale rump patch. Males carry large branched antlers, while females are antlerless.
Females and young form herds, while adult males may be solitary or in bachelor groups. During the rut, males roar, display, and contest access to females.
They graze grasses and sedges and browse leaves, shoots, bark, and acorns. Browsing increases when snow or dry seasons reduce grass availability.
Breeding peaks in autumn. After a long gestation, females usually give birth to a single calf in late spring or early summer.
The species is globally widespread, but local management may address overbrowsing, hunting pressure, and impacts in introduced ranges.
