The Red Deer, scientifically known as the Cervus Elaphus, is a species that dominates the UK’s woodlands and forests as the country’s largest land mammal, standing four feet tall at the shoulder, and weighing up to 200kg. The male red deer’s most unique and recognizable feature, their antlers, start as two points but branch out into majestic antlers, reaching up to 16 branches.
The Red Deer…is a species that dominates the UK’s woodlands and forests as the country’s largest land mammal.
As we enter autumn, red deer enter their rutting season; the mating period where stags (male deer) must compete for hinds (female deer) by displaying their dominance, often through aggressive behaviour. Mature stags will often surround themselves a group of hinds, whilst younger stags tend to flaunt through loud roars and trashing vegetation. When two stags compete for the same hind, they fight with their antlers, pushing each other until one is defeated through injury or chooses to flee. Red deer exhibit particularly threatening and dangerous behaviour during their rutting season due to the absolute necessity of finding a mate.
Red deer tend to stick to open woodlands, but are adaptable animals that can thrive in open grasslands, river valleys, scrub, moorlands, and parks. Recordings of deer can be sporadic but high deer numbers are particularly found in Southwest England, Lake District and East Anglia. More feral stock is found in Scotland and the Northern midlands. Red Deer can also be found in Dartmoor, especially in wooded valleys and forests, but also in open moorland. For deer spotting, it is recommended to go during dawn or dusk as they are their most active at this time, and could possibly be found in the rutting process. Although it is important to give these animals their space, particularly during the rut when the stags’ testosterone levels are high. The red deer remains one of Britain’s most iconic mammals, with their presence dating back to 40,000 years ago, as they were depicted among ancient European cave art.
