Deer
Deer are members of the Cetartiodactyla (sometimes just Artiodactyla) order with other even-toed ungulates such as giraffe, cows, camels, pigs and the dolphins. Globally, 91 species of deer have been described, five of which live wild in Britain: red deer (Cervus elaphus); roe deer (Capreolus capreolus); fallow deer (Dama dama); Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon); Reeves' muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi); and Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis), the latter two having been deliberatley introduced or escaped from captivity. Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) can be found living free-range in a large enclosure in Scotland's Cairngorm mountain range, but these are part of an owned and actively managed herd.
Species
Questions
How can deer vocalise for so long without getting hoarse?
We don't know for sure, but suspect they produce a lot of mucus to lubricate their vocal chords.
Is it okay for me to feed wildlife?
Generally speaking, feeding appropriate food in appropriate quantities is fine. There can, however, be some unforeseen consequences to supplementary feeding.
What are antlers and why do deer have them?
Antlers are bony appendages, re-grown each year, used in fights for dominance.
What are Chronic Wasting Disease & Tuberculosis and what do they have to do with deer?
CWD and TB are serious contagious diseases that can severely affect deer populations.
Bibliography
A Highland Deer Herd and its Habitat - by Jos Milner; Jim Alexander; Cy Griffin
Red Lion House
-- 2002
-- ISBN: 978-0951263150
A Life for Deer: A deer vet tells their story and his - by John Fletcher
Victor Gollancz Books
-- 2000
-- ISBN: 978-0575070905
Deer - by Raymond Chaplin
Blandford Press
-- 1977
-- ISBN: 978-0713707960
Deer - by John Fletcher
Reakton Books
-- 2014
-- ISBN: 978-1780230887
Deer - by Norma Chapman
Whittet Books
-- 1991
-- ISBN: 978-1873580356
Deer of Britain and Ireland: Their origins and distribution - by Peter Carne
Swan-Hill Press
-- 2000
-- ISBN: 978-1840370911
Deer of the World: Their Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology - by Valerius Geist
Stackpole Books
-- 1998
-- ISBN: 978-0811704960
Deer Watch: A Field Guide (Revised Edition) - by Richard Prior
Swan-Hill Press
-- 2007
-- ISBN: 978-1846890130
Deer: Law & Liabilities (2nd Edition) - by Charlie Parkes; John Thornley
Quiller
-- 2008
-- ISBN: 978-1846890475
Gardens and Deer: A guide to damage limitation - by Charles Coles
Swan-Hill Press
-- 1997
-- ISBN: 978-1853109652
Grazing in Temperate Ecosystems: Large Herbivores and the Ecology of the New Forest - by Rod Putman
Croom Helm
-- 1986
-- ISBN: 978-0881920710
Highland Deer Forest - by Lea MacNally
J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd.
-- 1970
-- ISBN: 978-0330234665
Kia – A Study of Red Deer - by Ian Alcock
Swan-Hill Press
-- 1999
-- ISBN: 978-1840370317
Living with Deer - by Richard Prior
Andre Deusch
-- 1965
-- ISBN: 978-0727401175
Muntjac and Water Deer: Natural History, Environmental Impact and Management - by Arnold Cooke
Pelagic Publishing
-- 2019
-- ISBN: 978-1784271909
Red Deer: Behaviour and Ecology of Two Sexes - by Tim Clutton-Brock; Fiona Guinness; Steve Albon
Edinburgh University Press
-- 1982
-- ISBN: 978-0226110578
Scottish Red Deer and their Conservation - by Victor Lowe
Hayloft Publishing
-- 2014
-- ISBN: 978-1904524939
The Deer of Great Britain & Ireland: An account of their history, status and distribution - by Peter Carne
G. Kenneth Whitehead
-- 1964
-- ISBN: None
The Natural History of Deer - by Rory Putman
Christopher Helm
-- 1988
-- ISBN: 978-0801422836
The Story of a Red-Deer - by William Fortescue
MacMillian and Co.
-- 1897
-- ISBN: 978-1507576755
The Watcher and the Red Deer - by Richard Perry
The Country Book Club
-- 1972
-- ISBN: 978-0715353851
Links
- British Deer Parks and Farmers Association
- British Deer Society
- Deer Collisions Project
- Deer Initiative
- English Country Garden
- Isle of Rum Red Deer Project
- Montana State University – Deer Need Tough Love This Winter