# Roe Deer (*Capreolus capreolus*) Roe deer are small, shy deer found in Europe and parts of Asia. They are known for their short antlers and reddish-brown coats. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Woodlands, farmland, and grasslands. - **Also known as:** European Roe Deer, Roe ![Roe Deer](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426871/objects/4385.jpg) ## Appearance The Roe Deer is a small deer with a reddish-brown coat in summer, turning grey-brown in winter. It has a distinctive white rump patch and lacks a visible tail. Males grow short, ridged antlers that are shed annually. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Cervidae - **Genus:** Capreolus ## Interesting facts - Male roe deer grow new antlers every year and shed them by late autumn! - Roe deer are one of the few mammals that can delay pregnancy on purpose! - Roe deer don't have a long tail, just a fluffy white patch called a 'rump mirror'! - They communicate using barks to warn others of danger, and even make 'squeaks'! ## Special abilities - **Super Sensors:** Roe deer have amazing hearing and smell that helps them detect danger from far away. - **Leaping Escape:** Roe deer can leap incredibly high and far, allowing them to quickly escape predators or obstacles. - **Delayed Delivery:** Roe deer have delayed implantation, which helps them time fawn births for spring when food is plentiful. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 95-135 cm - **Weight:** 10-35 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-15 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-3 - **Gestation:** 280-300 days ## Diet & Feeding These adaptable herbivores munch on tasty leaves, shoots, berries, and grasses throughout the day! - **Primary Foods:** Young leaves, Shoots, Buds, Grasses, Heather, Berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Grey Wolf (*Canis lupus*) — Adult roe deer are a common prey for wolves. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Fawns are often preyed upon by red foxes. - **Eats:** Pedunculate Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Roe deer browse on the leaves and shoots of oak trees. - **Eaten by:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — Young fawns can be taken by large raptors like golden eagles. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Antlered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/antlered): Antlered describes animals possessing antlers, which are bony, branching growths found predominantly on male deer and related species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Avoid getting close — they may kick if threatened. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Roe Deer? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Roe Deer? 95-135 cm ### How much does Roe Deer weigh? 10-35 kg ### How long does Roe Deer live? 7-15 years ### How fast can Roe Deer move? 70 km/h ### What does Roe Deer eat? These adaptable herbivores munch on tasty leaves, shoots, berries, and grasses throughout the day! ### Where is Roe Deer usually found? Woodlands, farmland, and grasslands. ### How does Roe Deer hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Zoo am Meer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-am-meer) — Bremen, DE · Zoo - [Bürgerpark (Bremen)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burgerpark-bremen) — Bremen, DE · Park - [Alto Tajo Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alto-tajo-natural-park) — Castilla-La Mancha, ES · Park - [Harz Nature Park (Lower Saxony)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harz-nature-park-lower-saxony) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park - [Wildpark Bruderhaus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wildpark-bruderhaus) — Zurich, CH · Zoo - [Marguareis Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marguareis-nature-park) — IT · Park [View all places to see Roe Deer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/roe-deer) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Roe Deer: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/roe-deer)