Mammal · GBIF taxon 5220126
Roe Deer
Capreolus capreolusAlso known as Western Roe Deer, European Roe, Roe, Roebuck
Roe deer are small, elegant cervids that thrive in the mosaic landscapes of European woodlands and agricultural fields. They are highly solitary compared to other deer, forming loose groups only during the harsh winter months. When startled, they emit a loud, dog-like barking sound and flash their prominent white rump patches to warn others of danger.
CrepuscularForest-dwellingAgile
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Herbivorous browser (leaves, shoots, berries, grasses, and young bark)
Predators
- Eurasian Lynx
- Grey Wolf
- Red Fox
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, vehicle collisions, and predation by large carnivores
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed woodlands, forest edges, meadows, and agricultural fields
Life span10 to 15 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderArtiodactyla
- FamilyCervidae
- GenusCapreolus
- SpeciesCapreolus capreolus
Native
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Can carry ticks transmitting Lyme disease; avoid close contact and check for ticks after walking in tall grass.
- Why it is dangerous
- They are primary hosts for Ixodes ticks, which transmit Lyme disease, and cornered bucks can inflict injuries with their sharp antlers.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a small, elegant deer with a reddish-brown summer coat, a white rump, and short, upright antlers on males.
- What to do
- Maintain a respectful distance, especially during the summer rut, and perform a thorough tick check after visiting their habitat.
Responsible observation
- Scan forest edges: Look along woodland borders at dawn and dusk when they emerge to feed.
- Listen for barks: Listen for their harsh, dog-like alarm barks echoing through the trees.
- Keep dogs leashed: Keep pets on a leash to avoid flushing nesting does or vulnerable fawns.
Competitor Lviatour / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Competitor Johann-Nikolaus Andreae / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator Aconcagua (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Andrey Giljov, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain
The Forest Floor
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