Roe buck with his ladies by Robin Orrow 1/10
Roe deer buck moulting at Pigneys Wood by Julian Thomas 2/10
Roe deer doe at Sweetbriar Road marshes by Michael Sankey 3/10
Roe deer doe at Buxton Heath by T Taberham 4/10
Roe deer at Caister St Edmund by Elizabeth Dack 5/10
Roe deer at Mattishall by Mrs Pritchard 6/10
Roe deer at Caister St Edmund by Elizabeth Dack 7/10
Roe deer at Horsford by Neville Yardy 8/10
Roe deer at Thompson Common by Elizabeth Dack 9/10
Roe deer fawn at Shipdham by Lawrie Webb 10/10

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus

The roe deer is our most common native deer but forest clearance and over hunting led to their extinction in England by 1800. A natural spread from Scottish populations and reintroductions into areas like Thetford Forest means that they are abundant again today. The deer live in woods but will venture onto grassland or agricultural land when the population density is high. They are herbivores eating grass, leaves, berries, brambles and young shoots.

Conservation status

For a species that was extinct in England in 1800, the roe deer has now become common with few threats in the wild. Most casualties are from road traffic. There has been a significant and sustained increase in their numbers since 1960.

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Details

Did you know? Although mating occurs in summer the fertilised egg does not implant and grow until January. This is thought to be an adaption to avoid giving birth in the harsh winter months. It is the only hoofed animal which is able to delay implantation. The kids are born about 5 months later in May and June. The doe will often leave her well-camouflaged kids seemingly abandoned in long undergrowth but she will remain close by and will return to suckle them.
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