The fallow buck deer (Dama dama) is a truly captivating animal, known for its incredible adaptability, its striking palmate antlers (those broad, flattened antlers that look a bit like a moose’s), and its wide variety of coat colors.
While native to Europe, you can now find fallow deer all over the world.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the fallow buck deer, digging into its unique characteristics, fascinating behaviors, and important role in various ecosystems.
Physical Characteristics and Identification
Fallow deer are smaller than other deer species. Males (bucks) generally weigh between 130 and 220 pounds, while females (does) typically weigh in at 66 to 110 pounds. Male fallow deer are about 5-6 feet long, while females are usually 4.5-5 feet long.
The bucks have broad, palmate antlers that can be quite impressive.
Fallow deer are usually a fawn color with white spots, making them easy to identify. However, there are a few different color variations, including:
- Common (the typical fawn color)
- Menil
- Melanistic (very dark)
- Leucistic (white)
The color of a fallow deer’s coat also changes depending on the time of year.
Where Do Fallow Deer Live?
Fallow deer are native to Europe. However, people have introduced them to other places, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.
They’re pretty adaptable. Fallow deer can thrive in woodlands, grasslands, and even agricultural areas. They seem to do well in broadleaf woods, conifer forests, parks, and fields.
Behavior and Diet
Fallow deer are social creatures, and you’ll usually see them traveling in herds.
Like other deer species, they are herbivores.
During the warmer months, they graze on grasses and herbs. When winter comes, they switch to browsing on foliage and nuts.
Reproduction and Lifecycle
Like many other deer species, fallow deer have a defined breeding season.
The Rut
The fallow deer rut, or breeding season, occurs in the autumn, from September to early November. During this time, the males compete fiercely for the attention of the females. These contests can be quite dramatic, involving displays of strength and dominance.
Fawning and Development
Fawns are typically born in late spring or early summer, usually in June or July. Does commonly give birth to a single fawn, although twins are not unheard of.
The gestation period for fallow deer is around 230 days. For the first few weeks of their lives, fawns are kept hidden by their mothers to protect them from predators.
Male fallow deer typically live for 8 to 10 years, while females tend to live longer, reaching ages of 12 to 16 years. Males reach maturity at around seven years old, while females can breed as early as their first year.
What are the signs of fallow deer?
If you want to know if fallow deer are nearby, there are a few signs you can track. You might see:
- Scrapes
- Antler rubs on trees
- Fewer droppings (also called fewmets)
- Gnawed bark
- Thrashed vegetation
- Browse lines on trees and shrubs
Scrapes, which are bare patches of earth as large as two meters across, are a key sign that male fallow deer have established territory. Fallow deer droppings are usually about 2-3 cm long.
Conservation Status and Management
Fallow deer are not endangered. In fact, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists them as a species of “least concern.” However, how they’re managed depends on the region they inhabit.
Closing Thoughts
Fallow deer are beautiful, adaptable animals that are found throughout the world. These deer play an important role in their ecosystems, and in some regions, they hold cultural significance, too.
While their presence in non-native regions can sometimes present challenges, the fallow deer remains a fascinating and widespread species.