SPECIES PROFILE

Name: the fallow deer (Dama dama) is a common species of deer in the Cervidae family.

Appearance: fallow deer can usually be identified by their spotty coats which can come in a range of different colours. Some are chestnut coloured with white spots, some are a dark brown or black colour, and some are white without spots. The males have broad, thick antlers.

Size: adults can reach up to 140 to 160 cm long, 85 to 95 cm tall, and weigh up to 60 to 100kg.

Diet: fallow deer are herbivores, eating grass, leaves, acorns, sweet chestnuts, young shoots, heather, cereals, bark, herbs, and berries.

Did you know: fallow deer are fast and agile when danger approaches, reaching speeds of up to 48 km per hour and jumping over 5 metres in one leap! Despite this, they have been hunted by humans since around 17,000 BC and were spread across Europe by the Romans as they were an important source of food. Some have suggested that they were introduced to England by the Normans for hunting in the royal forests.

Location: they can be found in mixed woodland and grassland across Europe. They have also been introduced by humans to places around the world including Argentina, South Africa, Israel, Australia, and Morocco amongst others.

Where TO SEE Fallow deer

According to reports submitted to WildSide, you can see fallow deer in the following places:

Photo credit: domeckolpo under a Creative Commons licence from Pixabay