Mammal · GBIF taxon 5220136
Dama dama
Dama damaAlso known as Fallow Deer, Common Fallow Deer, European Fallow Deer
Fallow deer are recognized by their highly variable coat coloration, ranging from bright chestnut with white spots to deep chocolate black or almost pure white. Mature bucks sprout broad, shovel-like palmate antlers that set them apart from almost all other European deer. During the autumn breeding season, males establish rutting stands in open glades, emitting deep, rhythmic groans to attract harems of females.
HerbivoreAntleredSocial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasses, herbs, tree leaves, acorns, shoots, and bark
Predators
- Gray Wolf
- Eurasian Lynx
- Human
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, vehicle collisions, and feral dog attacks
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed woodlands, open pastures, and managed parklands
Life span12–16 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderArtiodactyla
- FamilyCervidae
- GenusDama
- SpeciesDama dama
Native Introduced
Native range in olive; established introduced range in rust.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Bucks can become aggressive during the autumn rut; observe herds from a safe distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Rutting bucks carry heavy, sharp antlers and can charge or thrash aggressively if humans approach their territory.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for broad, flattened antlers on males and a distinctive white-spotted coat with a black horseshoe pattern on the rump.
- What to do
- Maintain at least 50 meters distance during autumn breeding, and never corner or approach a vocalizing buck.
Responsible observation
- Keep distance during rut: Give bucks wide berth between September and November when testosterone levels peak.
- Look for the tail: Identify fallow deer by the prominent black stripe running down the white rump and tail.
- Use binoculars at dawn: Watch herds emerging to graze along woodland edges in early morning light.
Competitor Lviatour / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion "Ree bok - Roe deer male" by Arend Vermazeren is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Tobias Klenze, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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