capreolus

Capreolus is a genus of small deer in the family Cervidae, comprising two living species: Capreolus capreolus, the European roe deer, and Capreolus pygargus, the Siberian roe deer. The genus is native to Europe and Asia, occupying woodlands, forest edges, and brush across temperate landscapes. In addition to living species, Capreolus includes several extinct species known from the fossil record.

Capreolus species are among the smallest deer. They have a compact build, long ears, and a short tail with a distinctive white rump patch visible when they move. Males have short antlers with two or three branches; females generally lack antlers. Their coats are reddish-brown in summer and gray-brown in winter, providing camouflage in dappled woodland and brush.

European roe deer occupy most of Europe and parts of western Asia, including the Caucasus region. Siberian roe deer are found across Siberia, Mongolia, and parts of northern China. They favor mosaic habitats that include woodlands, hedgerows, and agricultural land, often preferring edge environments over dense, closed forests.

Capreolus species are typically crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk, and are usually solitary outside of mother–offspring groups. The breeding season occurs in late summer; females give birth to usually a single fawn (occasionally twins) after a gestation of several months. Fawns are hidden after birth and join the mother after a brief period. They are mixed feeders, browsing leaves, shoots, grasses, and fruits depending on season and habitat.

Both species are listed as Least Concern by major conservation bodies, though local populations may decline due to habitat loss, overhunting, and road mortality in some regions.