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Red Deer

(Cervus elephus)

Morphology:

  • Body length: 175-265 cm
  • Height at withers: 75-140cm
  • Tail length: 10-22cm
  • Weight: 75-350kg
  • Average lifespan: 12-15 years up to 23 years

Morphology:

  • Body length: 175-265 cm
  • WHeight at withers: 75-140cm
  • DTail length: 10-22cm
  • Weight: 75-350kg
  • Average lifespan: 12-15 years up to 23 years

Occurrence:

Europe, North America

Habitat:

Deciduous forests, Mixed forests with rich understory, Forest edges near fields, Pine forest clearings

Food:

Grasses, Herbs, Shrubs, Young shoots, Tree and shrub leaves, Mushrooms, Tree and shrub bark, Lichens, Acorns, Beech nuts

Reproduction:

  • Sexual maturity: 1.5-2 years
  • Breeding season: Late September
  • Gestation period: 230 days
  • Number of offspring: One (rarely two)

Species protection:

According to the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List), the species is classified as Lc - meaning lower risk. Estimated population in Poland is around 229,000 individuals in 2019.

Interesting fact:

The roar, or mating period of the red deer, is one of the most fascinating natural phenomena. Male deer shed their old antlers at the end of winter each year and then grow new ones.