Cerfs

Cerfs are deer of the family Cervidae, a term commonly used in French to designate deer, particularly males or stags. In English, the group is usually referred to simply as deer, with stag reserved for an adult male.

They are artiodactyl mammals. In most species, males grow antlers annually, which are shed and regrown. Females typically lack antlers, though some species have small or occasional antlers in females. Antler size, coloration, and body shape vary widely among species and populations.

Cerfs are native to boreal, temperate, and some subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, and have been introduced to other areas. They inhabit forests, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and edge habitats, often favoring mosaics that provide both cover and forage. Populations commonly respond to seasonal changes in food availability and cover, and many species migrate within large home ranges or form seasonal groups.

They are herbivores with diets that include grasses, leaves, shoots, twigs, fruits, and fungi. Plant selection varies by species, season, and habitat. Cerfs are prey for large carnivores, and their populations are influenced by predation pressures, snow conditions, and food resources. Social organization ranges from solitary individuals to matrilineal groups and larger bachelor or mixed herds, depending on species and life stage. Reproduction occurs annually in many species, with a rut during the fall and variable gestation periods.

Human interactions include hunting for meat and trophies, wildlife management, and habitat modification. Conservation status varies by species and region; many populations are stable or increasing, while others face habitat loss and overhunting.