Deer, Fallow (Dama dama)
Animal facts
Size.
These animals can grow to lengths of up to 120cm to 140cm while they stand up at a height of up to 100cm at the shoulder. Males can reach weights of 60Kg to 85Kg, whilst females are much smaller at 30Kg to 50Kg.
Habitat and Distribution.
It is home in woodland areas however can be often seen in large open grassland which is bordered by woodland. This species is now found throughout almost all of Europe where it was believed to have been introduced long ago (possibly by the Romans), although they may have had a natural distribution throughout the Mediterranean. This species is believed to originate throughout Iran, Syria, Iraq and Turkey.
Age.
In the wild these deer live for around 16 years however in captivity they have on occasion been recorded reaching ages of around 30 years.
Diet
These grazing animals feed on all manner of ground vegetation and will also feed on the leaves and shoots of low lying shrubs.
Groups and Breeding.
These deer live in small groups isolated from other groups. The mating season (also called the rut) lasts from September to October, with fawns being born between May and June. These are ready to be weaned in time for the next breeding season and are able to then breed themselves the following year.
Threats.
Most of their natural predators are extinct throughout most of their range (especially in the UK), and in many countries they are now controlled to keep their populations from becoming too large causing possible health problems through their population, and to stop too large a herd from damaging their habitat.
Interesting fact's.
In the mid 1600s King Karl X Gustav of Sweden had a stone wall built, spanning over 4 kilometres to enclose his royal herd of deer, the ancestors of which still live in the area today.