The World of Deer

Deer information, history, and facts to help you understand this beautiful species and the role it plays in our ecosystem.

Referenced by the Following Media Outlets

As Seen On PBS.org, NJ.com, INaturalist (a joint venture of the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic), and the University of Michigan Zoological Museum Blog - AnimalDiversity.org

As a trusted source of information about deer, we are regularly cited by news outlets, nonprofits, and top publications across the web.

Since 2005, WorldDeer.org has provided facts and information about the many species of deer found around the world, along with the history of this unique animal.

Today on this website you’ll find thoughtful, accurate articles that seek to explain deer behavior and the relationship between humans and deer, enhanced with stunning photographs of deer in the wild.

Read Our Latest Articles About Deer

If you’re looking for information about the biology and behavior of deer, or answers to common questions about deer, you can learn a lot about this unique species of ungulates on this website. Start here, or explore more of our articles.

What To Do If You Hit a Deer

What To Do If You Hit a Deer

It might surprise you to learn that approximately 1.5 million deer-car accidents happen every year in the U.S. While the risk rises in the cooler months, it can happen anytime to anyone. Drivers are especially

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Do Deer Eat Tomatoes

Do Deer Eat Tomatoes?

Tomato growers with deer populations in the area should know that these animals will be tempted to help themselves to a meal. You should be aware of the deer diet so you can better understand

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Do Deer Eat Cucumbers

Do Deer Eat Cucumbers?

Most of us love cucumbers because of their delicious taste and nutritional benefits. Maybe you even grow cucumbers in your vegetable garden. If there are deer populations in your area, you may wonder whether they

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Roe Deer vs Red Deer

Roe Deer vs Red Deer Comparison

While there are significant similarities between the various deer species, there are a few differences that can help you distinguish them. Roe Deer and Red Deer certainly have several differences. When you understand the differences

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Mange on Deer

About Mange on Deer

Most of us have heard the expression “a mangy dog,” but we don’t usually think of mange as something that affects deer. But it certainly does. Like other animals, whitetail deer (and other deer species)

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Learn About Different Types of Deer

There are many different types of deer, and our website has information about just about all of them. We invite you to check out a few of the most interesting deer species below, and continue to explore our website to learn more about the many different types of deer around the world.

Reeves Muntjac

Reeves Muntjac

The Reeves Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) is a common species of deer in southern China and Taiwan, though it has been brought to Japan and several locations in Europe as well.

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Philippine Spotted Deer

Philippine Spotted Deer

The Philippine Spotted Deer — also called the Visayan Spotted Deer (Rusa alfredi) or Alfred’s Deer — is an endangered species endemic to the Philippine Islands. It lives on the Visayan island chain. This deer

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Moose

Moose

The moose (Alces alces) is a massively large member of the deer family that lives in the colder, northern climates. In North America, moose are found primarily in the forests of Canada and Alaska, with

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Taruca Deer

Taruca Deer

The Taruca Deer (Hippocamelus antisensis), or North Andean Deer, is a native of South America. It’s a mid-sized deer with a heavy body, and it is characterized by sandy brown hair with white patches. Taruca

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White Lipped Deer

White Lipped Deer

White Lipped Deer (Cervus albirostris), also known as Thorold’s Deer, is a large and impressive species native to the Tibetan Plateau. The latin name, albirostris, comes from the latin albus (white) and rostrum (snout), and

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Roe Deer

Roe Deer

A small but distinctive species, Capreolus capreolus (or the European Roe Deer) is sometimes referred to as the Western Roe Deer or simply “Roe.” You’ll find them on the UK mainland, particularly in southern England

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Basic Information About Deer

  • There are many different species of deer found around the world. All are hoofed ruminant mammals that collectively form the family Cervidae. In this family there are two primary groups: Cervinae (which includes North American Elk (Wapiti), Red Deer, and Fallow Deer), and Capreolinae (which includes species such as White-Tailed Deer, Roe Deer, Moose, and Reindeer).
  • Deer live and thrive in a variety of microclimates around the globe. Some species are right at home on the frozen Tundra, while others easily navigate the dense brush of tropical rainforests. While we typically associate forests with deer, most species prefer the areas of transition between thick forests and open grasslands. This is why there’s some evidence that logging actually benefits deer in some parts of the world, though they always require adequate forest and brush cover for populations to thrive.
  • Deer come in all shapes and sizes – ranging from the imposing Moose of North America (which can stand 8.5 feet tall and is the largest species of deer), to the tiny Northern Pudu of the Andes mountain range (which typically measures just 13-14 inches in height and is the smallest species of deer in the world).

Deer Hunting Articles

Are you a deer hunter, or do you want to learn more about how hunters work to find, shoot, and process these animals in the field? We’re expanding our site to include articles on topics of interest to readers who are hunters or who would like to learn more about deer hunting and tracking deer.

Deer Hunting Checklist

Deer Hunting Checklist

In one way, deer hunting is like any other activity or sport: you’ve got to have the right gear. A good deer hunting checklist will keep you organized, and it’ll set you up for hunting

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How to Track Deer

How to Track Deer

Tracking deer is essential for hunting, but you might be interested in tracking deer for other reasons. Enthusiasts, photographers, and ordinary nature lovers enjoy seeing deer in the wild. If you’re serious about seeing deer,

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Tarsal Glands Deer

Tarsal Glands on Deer

Whitetail deer have several different kinds of glands, with each having its own purpose. The tarsal glands mean that each individual deer has its own distinctive scent so that others in their herd are able

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