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 and in Scotland. They prefer woodlands, but can often be observed leaving the forests to graze farmland and open fields.
European Roe Deer Size & Measurements
- Head & Body Length – 95 to 135 cm
- Shoulder Height – 63 to 67 cm
- Weight – 18 to 29 kg
What Does the Roe Deer Look Like?
The Roe Deer is a small species of deer, its body is small but strong and supported by short legs, and this gives it a rather stocky solid appearance.
European Roe Deer is the smallest species of deer native to Europe. Males (sometimes called tend to be larger and heavier than the females. Male Roe Deer are often called Bucks, while the females are called Does.
Coloring that Changes with the Seasons
The pelage varies between the summer and winter months.
- In winter the fur is thick and long, and has a rather scruffy looking appearance. The winter coat is typically grey or grey-brown in color.
- During the summer months the coat becomes much thinner and sleeker. In summer the coat is a rich brown color.
The winter coat grows from September onwards, and is moulted again the following spring in April or May.
During the winter months Roe Deer have a very noticeable large white rump patch. This is composed of long hairs that can be ‘puffed out’ to provide a warning signal when the Roe spots danger.
During the summer the rump patch is much less noticeable.
Unlike other species of deer the Roe has only a very short tail, which is often not much more than a few centimetres in length.
Head & Muzzle
Roe Deer have a small delicate looking head. The muzzle is normally the same color as the rest of the pelage, but the nose is a very distinct black color.
There is also a noticeable black ‘moustache’ of fur on the under lip. There are often white markings on the chin and upper throat.
The ears are large and oval shaped, being ringed with black fur, the insides of the ears have soft white fur.
Scent Glands
The Roe Deer has a number of scent glands that are used to mark territory. These are normally only clearly visible during the rut and then only in the males.
There are scent glands on the forehead at the base of the antlers, on the legs, and between the hooves of the hind legs.
There are also some pre-orbital glands just below the eyes of the deer.
Antlers
Only males have antlers. These are lost each spring, and regrow again in time for the summer rut. Typically males have antlers that have a total of 6 tines, but young or weak animals may have antlers with less.
The antlers are about 30 cm in length. Antlers are used by the males when competing for females in the summer breeding season.
Where do Roe Deer Live?
The Roe Deer has a large distribution range, and is found across temperate parts of Europe and Asia. They occur as far east as Siberia. Animals from the east of its range are larger and heavier than animals found in Europe.
The Roe Deer is a highly adaptable animal, which is found in a variety of different habitats. It was originally an inhabitant of woodland clearings and glades, preferring areas with thick undergrowth and dense vegetation. However, man has altered the forests of the temperate zones considerably, creating agricultural fields and breaking the thick forests down into smaller areas of woodland.
Capreolus capreolus has adapted well to these changes and has successfully spread across fields and grasslands. It is most often seen along woodland edges, and in areas of scrub. Because of the Roe Deer’s flexibility and ability to spread quickly into new habitats it has become the most numerous of Europe’s deer species, and has a wide distribution. The Roe Deer is the most frequently seen deer across much of Europe.
How Long do European Roe Deer Live?
The oldest known wild living Roe reached an age of 14 years, however, the most deer live to the age of about 8 years, and many animals do not even reach that.
What Do Capreolus capreolus Eat?
European Roe Deer feed on a variety of twigs, bark, grasses and bushes. They will feed on agricultural crops if they’re available.
European Roe Deer have a traditional diet that’s similar to many other species of deer around the world.
Roe Deer Reproduction & Mating Habits
The breeding season or rut in Roe Deer takes place each summer between June and July. Rutting in the Capreolus capreolus takes place much earlier than in other temperate living species of deer.
Roe Deer have evolved a special technique which allows them to mate in high summer, but which still allows the young to be born at the optimum time in spring. They use a method called delayed implantation where the newly formed embryo enters a state of suspended animation. This allows the pregnancy to be extended allowing the young to be born in spring.
During the rut males compete for access to females. When females become receptive to matings they are chased by males who want to breed with them. Males become especially territorial at this time and try to ward other males away from the females in their territories.
The gestation period is around 300 days long. Typically a single young is born, but twins sometimes occur. The young are born in May or June. After being born the young are left alone in long grass, with the mother returning regularly to feed them.
Young fawns have a distinctive row of white spots across their flanks that provide them with camouflage in the long grass. These fade at about 2 months of age.
The young grow quickly and are weaned at 2 or 3 months of age. They remain with the mother until she gives birth again the following year.
Unique Behavior & Herd Tendencies
Unlike other species of deer, the Capreolus capreolus is mostly a solitary animal. They normally live alone, or in small groups made up of a female and her young.
Roe Deer often live in small territories of about 1 km square in size. However there behavior changes throughout the year, with territoriality being lost in winter in some areas.
In areas where they are not disturbed by man Roe Deer will be active throughout the day, but normally they feed in the mornings and late evening and rest during the day.
