Fallow Deer
Dama dama
Summary 3
The fallow deer (Dama dama) is a ruminant mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. This common species is native to western Eurasia, but has been introduced widely elsewhere. It often includes the rarer Persian fallow deer as a subspecies (D. d. mesopotamica), while others treat it as an entirely different species (D. mesopotamica).
Key Clues
Distinctive features: A small deer. Forelegs are shorter than the hind legs, making the back slope forwards. Coat colour is variable: black, dark brown, white or cream (rare in the wild in New Zealand), or light red-brown with conspicuous white spots. Distinctive broad and shovel-shaped antlers.
Size: Shoulder height of 0.9–1m. Yearling males have ‘spike’ antlers up to 250mm long; adult males have palmated antlers up to 700–800mm long. Body length: for males is 1.6m and for females is 1.4m. Adult males weigh 63–80kg
Droppings: Round looking, but often more pointed at one end. Smaller than red deer droppings. Occur in large groups singularly or clumped.
Footprints: c. 50–60 × 30–40mm. Two pointed toes, rounded heels.
Further information 4
http://www.pestdetective.org.nz/culprits/fallow-deer/
Sources and Credits
- (c) Arthur Chapman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/32005048@N06/4458573451
- (c) alastairduncan, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/alastairduncan/174365409/
- Adapted by clairewebster from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dama_dama
- (c) clairewebster, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
