Fallow deer

by antonvanbeek.nl

The fallow deer was a common sight during the warm periods of the Late Pleistocene. Its diet consisted of leaves, herbs and grass. Its teeth have relatively low crowns. This forest-edge dweller was recognisable by the spotted pattern on its flanks. A buck had hoe-shaped antlers, also known as ‘Gaffelgewei’, with a number of branches.

Does are generally slightly smaller than bucks and do not have antlers. Fallow deer can grow up to 235 cm in length and have a shoulder height of up to 105 cm. Their legs are long and their head is fairly narrow. They have a fairly long tail, measuring about 20 cm, by which they are easily recognised. The weight of an adult fallow deer varies from 35 to 150 kilograms, depending on sex and food availability. In summer, fallow deer have a thin coat and are reddish-yellow to grey-brown in colour; in winter, the coat becomes thicker and darker and loses its spotted pattern.

Fallow deer usually live in small herds of around twenty individuals in extensive deciduous forests. Within the Waterleidingduinen, they have a lovely habitat where they thrive. Adult bucks live in separate herds and only join the does during the rutting season. Fallow deer are not territorial, but they do have a favourite area where they spend most of their time. During the day, fallow deer are quite active, but in busy areas with a lot of disturbance, they often only emerge at dusk. Grazing takes up a large part of their time. Their diet depends heavily on the environment. Generally speaking, they feed mainly on leaves, but grass can also form an important part of their diet.