Cervus

Cervus is a genus of deer in the family Cervidae, comprising several large herbivores found mainly in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The genus includes some of the best-known deer species, such as the red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the North American elk or wapiti (Cervus canadensis). The sika deer is commonly treated as Cervus nippon in many classifications. Taxonomic treatment within Cervus has varied as new genetic data have informed species limits, and some populations previously placed in Cervus have been reassigned or reclassified.

Males, known as stags or bucks, grow antlers that are shed and regrown annually, while females, called hinds or does, typically lack antlers. Coat color is generally brown to grayish, with seasonal variation in some species. Cervus species are primarily grazers and browsers, feeding on grasses, leaves, twigs, and fruits, and they inhabit a range of environments from forests and woodlands to mountainous regions and open plains.

Reproduction is seasonal, with males competing for access to females during the rut. Gestation lasts roughly six to eight months, resulting in one or two offspring (fawns) per birth. Antler development and size are influenced by age, nutrition, and health.

Distribution for the genus spans Europe, Asia, and North America, reflecting a broad ecological range from temperate forests to tundra margins. Conservation status varies by species and region; some populations are widespread and secure, while others face pressures such as habitat loss, overhunting, and disease, necessitating region-specific management.