stags

A stag is an adult male member of a cervid species, most commonly the red deer (Cervus elaphus) of Europe. In many regions the term is used more broadly to refer to adult male deer, with species-specific terms such as buck, bull, or hart used in different contexts. Stags are typically larger than females and are distinguished by their antlers, which they grow and shed annually.

Antlers are a defining feature of stags. They begin to grow in spring, are covered in a soft velvet as they develop, and harden by late summer. Each year a stag may grow a new set of antlers, which are then shed after the breeding season. Antlers are used in displays of strength and for combat with rivals during the rut.

Stags occur in many cervid species around the world, with the red deer being the most familiar example in Europe. They favor woodland and open countryside where they can browse and graze. They are herbivores, feeding on grasses, leaves, shoots, bark, and fruit, with seasonal shifts in diet.

Behavior and reproduction: During the autumn rut, stags compete with each other using antler clashes and displays of dominance. Many males form or defend harems of females and attempt to secure breeding rights. Vocalizations such as roars or bellows can accompany the rut, signaling size and fitness. After mating, antlers are shed and regrow in the following year.