Deer, Fallow

Physical Features

Fallow Deer are also known as Dama dama and they are ruminant mammals. The Fallow Deer species are variable in color with 4 variants existing: 'common', 'menil', 'melanistic' and 'white'. The common coat variation has a brown coat with white mottles that are most pronounced in summer with a much darker coat in the winter. The white is the lightest colored and almost white; common and menil are darker, and melanistic is very dark, sometimes even black (easily confused with the Sika Deer). Most herds consist of the common coat variation, yet it is not rare to see animals of the menil, melanistic and white coat variations as well. Only the bucks (males) have antlers, which are broad and palmate and increase in size with age up to a length of 70cm. The bucks are larger compared to the does (females) and males have thicker necks and heads. The adult bucks are 55.1-62.9in/140–160 cm long and have shoulder height of 35.4-39.3in/90–100 cm with a body weight between132.3-187.4lb/60–85kg. The does are 51.1-59.0in/130–150cm long and have a shoulder height of 29.52-33.46in/75–85cm with a body weight between 66.1-110.2lb/30–50kg.

Habitat

Fallow Deer are found in various habitats, such as open woodlands in Mediterranean, mixed forests, plains and low mountain areas. They prefer mature woodlands and they forage on open lands. They are mostly seen on open lands during summer and on woodlands from September to April. Originally they were found in Turkey, Iran and Mediterranean Europe but were later introduced to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, North America and South America. In Britain, they are widely spread on Anglesea, Islay, Scarba, Mull, and Lambay.

Diet

Fallow Deer are preferential grazers of grasses although during autumn and winter, trees and dwarf shrub shoots are eaten. They also feed on acorn when they are available.

Meat

Fallow Deer meat is low in fat, in calories and in cholesterol. Its meat is dark in color and has a gamey taste. It can serve as a good source of protein.

Behavior

Fallow Deer live in groups and the group sizes as well as the degree of sexual segregation will vary according to population density and their location. In the woodlands, the males group together separate from the females with their young. These groups of adult males and females with young remain apart for most part of the year and only come together to breed. In open and agricultural environments the sexes mix freely in large herds throughout the year. Rutting is dependent upon the environment and population density. Mostly the bucks maintain the traditional, defended rutting stand but for others a temporary rutting stand is maintained. In areas where there are many bucks a lek may be formed. Where they are few the bucks simply seek out receptive females. During the rut bucks are known to groan intensely. Polygynous mating happens in mid-October, followed by fawning in June. An adult female gives birth to a single fawn after a gestation period of 229 days. Weaning occurs after 9-1 2 months and they reach sexual maturity after 18 months. They have a general life span of 12-16years. Their main predators are mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes. Fallow Deer produce a bark when alarmed.

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