Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Roe deer are native to Britain and are the most widespread deer in the country. They are relatively small, only the size of a goat, hence their Latin name which means small goat! They have sandy red-brown fur in summer and rather grey-brown fur in winter. Females have a whitish patch on their rump, which is the shape of an inverted heart, whereas males have a kidney-shaped patch. They have a very small tail that looks just like a tuft of fur and have distinctive black noses and white chins. The males have short antlers, rarely longer than 25cm, with a maximum of three points each.

The antlers grow for one year and are used to fight off other males and are then shed at the beginning of winter. When cleaning their newly grown antlers, roe deer can sometimes damage young trees by vigorously rubbing them along the trunk and branches. Roe deer differ from other deer in Britain, as they tend to be solitary animals.

Breeding:

Roe deer mate in late July & August, 2 or 3 months earlier than other deer in Britain. The females often give birth to twins in May or June the following year. The young have a distinct line of white spots along their back and can totter around about one hour after birth. They usually lie hidden in the undergrowth for the first week until they are strong enough to accompany their mothers.

Diet:

Bramble, oak, ash, wild rose and grasses in summer. Heather, acorns, ivy, ferns and coniferous trees in winter.

Deer tracks:

Bramble, oak, ash, wild rose and grasses in summer. Heather, acorns, ivy, ferns and coniferous trees in winter.

Habitat:

Mostly woodland with plenty of low vegetation and clearings.

Predators & threats:

Occasionally foxes, eagles and wildcats. Roe are hunted for their meat. Where roe and muntjac compete, the muntjac is more likely to succeed than the roe.

Status & distribution:

Roe deer have lived in Britain since prehistoric times and are the most widespread of any deer in Britain but they are not present in Ireland. They are thought to be increasing in number.

Did you know?...

In winter, when males shed their antlers, it is hard to tell the difference between male and female roe deer. The best way is by looking at their rump. Females have a white patch of fur in the shape of an ace of spades whereas males have a kidney-shaped white patch.