Deers

Deer are hoofed mammals belonging to the family Cervidae, found in many parts of the world. The term deers is a common but nonstandard plural; the correct plural form in English is deer. They occupy a wide range of habitats and vary considerably in size and appearance.

Two main subfamilies make up the deer family: Cervinae, the true deer, and Capreolinae, the New World deer. Notable species include the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), mule deer, and the moose (Alces alces). Some species form large, seasonal groups, while others are more solitary.

Male deer typically grow antlers that are shed annually; females generally do not. Antlers are bone structures that can be highly branched and vary in size by species and age. In most deer, only males retain antlers, but in a few species such as the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), females also grow antlers.

Deer are herbivores, feeding on a mix of grasses, leaves, twigs, fruits, and fungi. They are ruminants with multi-chambered stomachs, enabling efficient digestion of fibrous plant material. They inhabit forests, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and mountainous regions, and their distribution spans many temperate and subtropical areas.

Most deer are social to some extent, especially outside the breeding season. Mating season, or rut, leads to courtship and fighting, followed by a gestation period of about seven months and the birth of usually one or two fawns. Fawns are nourished by their mothers and gradually learn to feed independently.

Human activities such as hunting, habitat alteration, and vehicle traffic affect deer populations. Some species are common and widespread, while others are threatened or fragmented. Conservation and management efforts aim at sustainable harvest, habitat protection, and reducing vehicle collisions.