Roe deer Capreolus capreolus

Identification features

• Relatively large mammal with longs legs (standing at 75cm excluding the antlers)
• Males have short unbranched antlers which stick straight from the head
• Conspicous ears
• Fur colour can be variable but is reddish-brown in summer and greyish/black in winter.
• Tail appears to be absent
• Rump has a white diamond shape

Roe deer are recorded in open mixed woodland, usually solitary or in small groups.They are most active at dusk and dawn.

Other identification clues

Sounds

During the rut (mid July to August) males can be heard 'barking.'

Skulls and antlers

The deer lose their antlers after the rut. These can sometimes be found lying on the ground. They are relatively short compared to the fallow and red deer and are unbranched, ending in a single point.

Droppings

Roe deer droppings are black in colour when fresh and have cylinder shape with a point at one end and a dimple at the other.

Distribution in Derbyshire information