Fallow deer

About This Project

Unique of all the deer species, the males have shovel-shaped antlers! The females and their young live in herds, while males are often solitary. Though this species is probably native to Turkey, it was introduced into other regions from the Classical period onwards: Europe, America, South Africa, Australia… This wide distribution is possible because fallow deer are so adaptable, in terms of habitat, climate and even diet!

At the zoo, the fallow deer live in the Asian plain enclosure, with the nilgai and the blackbuck. In summer, you are certain to see some fawns!

Latin name: Dama dama
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetartiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Size: 0.75 to 0.94 m tall (at the withers), 1.3 – 1.75 m long
Weight: 35 – 90 kg
Lifespan: 20 years
Gestation: 8 months
Number of young: 1
Habitat: temperate forests
Diet: herbivorous
Distribution: central Europe, Turkey
Conservation status: not at risk

Category
Mammalia