cervid

Cervid is a term that can refer to any member of the deer family, Cervidae, or to characteristics relating to that family. The group includes a diversity of species commonly known as deer, elk (wapiti), moose, caribou (reindeer), and related forms. Cervids are ruminant, hoofed mammals (order Artiodactyla) found across much of the northern hemisphere and in some tropical regions.

A defining feature of many cervids is the presence of antlers, which in most species are grown and shed by males on a yearly cycle and used in mating displays and competition. Females generally lack antlers, though there are notable exceptions—caribou are one of the few cervid species in which both sexes grow antlers. Cervids lack upper incisors and instead process food with specialized molars as part of their grazing and browsing diet. The family is divided into subfamilies such as Capreolinae (often called the New World deer) and Cervinae (the Old World deer), encompassing multiple genera and species with varied habitats and behaviors.

Ecology and behavior vary widely among cervids but share common traits as herbivores. Diets typically include leaves, twigs, grasses, fruits, and other vegetation, with foraging strategies influenced by season and habitat. Many species are social, forming family groups or larger herds, and several undertake seasonal migrations. Reproduction generally involves one or more fawns after a gestation period of roughly six to eight months, with antler development playing a key role in mating dynamics.

Human interactions include hunting, habitat modification, and disease management. Conservation status among cervids ranges from abundant to threatened, with concerns such as habitat fragmentation and diseases (for example, chronic wasting disease) affecting certain populations.