A Round with the European Roe Deer
The European roe deer, or western roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), is a species of deer found throughout Europe and western Asia. There are a number of subspecies of roe deer, including the Siberian roe deer and the Italian roe deer, although the exact number of subspecies is debated. Regardless of taxonomy, they are by far the most abundant wild ungulate species in Europe, not unlike the white-tailed deer of North America. Also like their American cousins, they are considered a nuisance in many places, as they tend to feed on crops and flowers and can cause traffic accidents by wandering onto the road.
Although can be found anywhere, western roe deer prefer forests and high-grass meadows, in which they browse all day long. Like many deer species, roe deer can consume a wide variety of plants; in some cases the number of species in their diet has topped 1,000. In the summer these deer can be solitary or live in herds, usually several females with their offspring. In winter, all deer join a family group which can reach up to 90 members in a densely populated area.
C. capreolus tend to be on the smaller side compared to other deer species. They’re typically 60-67 cm tall at the shoulder and 22-30kg in weight, although some populations like those in Kazakhastan can be larger, while others like those in Spain and France are smaller. Males begin to grow antlers at one year old, and every year the antlers are shed in late fall. They regrow afterwards with a coat of velvety, which is then shed away for summer mating.
In the summer males enter their rut, and will call, thrash their antlers, and spar with each other in competition for females. The rutting season ends in the fall. However, roe deer are unique in that they have a latent pregnancy period; although the embryo is fertilized in the summer, it doesn’t implant until mid-winter and doesn’t begin developing until the summer after impregnation. The pregnancy period takes another 11-12 months, at which time mothers give birth to one to two fawns. Like other deer species, young fawns have distinctive white spots on their backs to help them hide in grass from predators.
The predators of roe deer vary from region to region. In Europe, predators can include foxes, lynx, and wolves. In Asia roe deer can also fall prey to leopards. Throughout their distribution, roe deer are prime game for hunters, both for meat and trophies.
Conservation Status: The European Roe deer is considered of Least Concern by the IUCN; in fact, despite extensive hunting, the population is growing in many parts of Europe and western Asia.
Photos
Graham Ackerman
Marius Secan
