deer

Deer are hoofed mammals in the family Cervidae. The group includes many species commonly referred to as deer, such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, roe deer, red deer, and elk (wapiti). They are ruminants and occur in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, mountains, and wetlands, across Asia, Europe, North America, and parts of Africa and South America.

Cervids are divided into two subfamilies: Capreolinae (new world deer) and Cervinae (old world deer and relatives). Size ranges from small species such as the northern pudu to large forms like the moose. Most species prefer temperate or boreal regions, though some inhabit tropical zones.

A distinctive feature is the antlers grown by males and shed annually; in reindeer both sexes bear antlers. Antlers are made of bone and are used in displays and combat during the breeding season. Antlers are typically shed after autumn and regrown in the spring.

Deer are herbivores, feeding on leaves, twigs, grasses, fruits, and bark. Diet shifts with season and region. They are prey for large carnivores such as wolves and big cats, as well as humans. Social structure varies by species, with some forming family groups and others living more solitary lives.

Breeding occurs in autumn for many species, with a gestation of roughly six to seven months. Most females give birth to one or two fawns, which rely on cover and rapid growth. Conservation status differs widely, but habitat loss, hunting, and diseases such as chronic wasting disease pose challenges in some regions.