Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are small elegant deer that
are Scottish in origin but are now found in many places in Great Britain and
abroad. They inhabit grassland, woodland and moors.
An adult roe deer weighs up to 25 kg and stands up to 75 cm
at the shoulder.
The fur is reddish in summer and a variety of darker shades
in winter. There is a prominent white patch on the rump. The head features a
white chin and throat patches and a black muzzle.
Males sport small antlers that usually have three points.
The antlers are cast at some time between October and January; when they grow
again they are covered in soft velvet that contains blood vessels.
Roe deer are not easy to spot during the day because they
normally feed at dawn and dusk and hide or rest at other times.
Fawns (also known as kids) are born in May or June. When
very young they are left alone while the parent feed, being protected by the
camouflage offered by their spotted coats. However, from the age of around six
weeks they follow their mothers all the time.
© John Welford
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