Red Deer
Cervus elaphus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernMammalia · Artiodactyla · Cervidae
About
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. A male red deer is called a stag or hart, and a female is called a hind. The red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Anatolia, Iran, and parts of Western Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains of Northern Africa, being the only living species of deer to inhabit Africa. Red deer have been introduced to other areas, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Peru, Uruguay, Chile and Argentina. In many parts of the world, the meat (venison) from red deer is used as a food source.
Fun Fact
Red deer stags grow and shed antlers annually, and the velvet covering growing antlers has one of the richest blood supplies of any tissue in nature, enabling growth of up to 2 cm per day.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Forests and moorlands
Diet
Herbivore
Lifespan
15-20 years
Threats
- Habitat Fragmentation
- Deforestation