Mammal Identification
Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus
Identification features
- Relatively large mammal with longs legs (standing at 75cm excluding the antlers)
- Males have short unbranched antlers which stick straight from the head
- Conspicuous ears
- Fur colour can be variable but is reddish-brown in summer and greyish/black in winter.
- Tail appears to be absent
- Rump has a white diamond shape
Roe
deer are recorded in open mixed woodland,
usually solitary or in small groups.They are
most active at dusk and dawn.
Other identification clues
Sounds
During the rut (mid July to August) males can be heard 'barking.'
Skulls and antlers
The deer lose their antlers after the rut. These can sometimes be found lying on the ground. They are relatively short compared to the fallow and red deer and are unbranched, ending in a single point.
Droppings
Roe
deer droppings are black in colour when fresh
and have cylinder shape with a point at one
end and a dimple at the other.