Fascinating Facts about..
Red Deer
Scientific name: Cervus elaphus Is the largest British land mammal, standing at about 1.5m to the shoulder.
They have reddish brown fur during the summer which becomes grey in the winter.
Mature males have spectacular antlers, which can span to 1m in size. Antlers are lost and re-grown each year.
This species of animal have been around for a long time, surviving the last ice age in the UK.
Stags (males) and hinds (females) remain separate during November to September, then during the rut (mating season) the stags will fight for the attentions of the hinds using their antlers.
Calves are usually born the following June and will stay close to their mother for the next 9-12 months until they are weaned.
Deer are browsers and will feed on grass, herbs, leaves, buds, shoots and bark.
Foxes and Golden eagles have been known to take newborn calves.
Most red deer in Britain are found in Scotland, but a small herd of approximately 12 can be found in Macclesfield Forest.
You can see captive red deer in Tatton Park and at Dunham Massey.
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