Ecology : Roe deer
Move
buck in summer coat: reddish-brown. Bucks have short (<30 cm) antlers with 3 points or tines on each
Doe in winter coat: grey, pale brown or (occasionally) black with white ‘gorget’ patches on the throat. Distinct white patches on muzzle and chin. Females can be distinguished from males by the presence of an anal tush
Roe deer are extremely adaptable and increasingly found in urban/sub-urban areas where they may utilise small areas of shelter (e.g. hedgerows, gardens, shelter-belts and copses).
Kids are spotted at birth but will lose these in their first year
Aim
Does
Breeding
Delayed implantation: After fertilisation the embryo travels to the uterus
but remains unattached and develops only very slowly for 5 months (this stage is
known as delayed implantation or embryonic diapause). It is not until late
December or early January that the embryo is implanted in the uterine wall and
rapid foetal development begins. Roe deer are the only species of deer to
exhibit this trait.
Corpora lutea: During the delayed implantation stage, a corpus luteum is
left behind in the ovaries, one for each egg shed. This is a few millimetres in
diameter and provides the embryo with nutrients to maintain the pregnancy. The
corpora lutea in a female where the eggs have failed to be fertilised remain
active for a period of at least 5 months (the same length of time as delayed
implantation).
One to two kids: generally kids born in the last week of May and first
week of June, however, early/late births not uncommon. Triplets unusual.
Productivity: Does are generally sexually mature by 14 months (the same
age as bucks). Pregnancy rate in adult does can approach 100%.
Weaning of kids: After 4 months. Kids may continue to suckle beyond this
period but are not dependent on milk.
Behaviour: Does chase out previous year’s kid(s) a couple of weeks prior
to giving birth. During the first two months, longer than for fallow or red
offspring, kids lie inert and hidden some distance from the feeding mother,
relying on concealment and camouflage.
Vocalisation: Both sexes may bark as an alarm call throughout the year. Does
communicate to kids using ‘pheeps’ and squeaks and make a high-pitched piping
call to advertise their readiness to mate.
Shoulder height: 63-69 cm
Bucks
Antler development
Nov – Dec: Bucks cast antlers.
Dec – Jul: Antlers in velvet.
Jul: Velvet generally shed by late July. Well-conditioned, mature bucks
may become clean as early as Feb. Poor-condition yearling bucks may not fully
develop antlers during first 18 months. In cases the pedicle may be visible and
velvet-covered throughout.
Mating
End Mar: Mature bucks begin to become territorial, maintaining exclusive
territories around one or more does by fraying, scraping and scenting activity
at the boundary of territories. Fights between bucks result in the winner taking
over the loser’s territory or associated doe(s).
Mid July – mid Aug: Main rutting period.
Oct: A resurgence of rutting behaviour or a ‘false rut’ may occur but
involves only a proportion of the adult population.
Vocalisation: As well as barking as an alarm call, bucks may vocalise
while courting.
Shoulder height: 66-72 cm.
Kids
Social Dependency
During the winter and early spring, kids learn from their mother’s feeding
preferences, habitat use and defence strategies. Yearling kids become totally
independent after they are chased out of their mother’s home range.
The aim of this guide is to provide information on aspects of the ecology and behaviour of red deer to aid in the management of this species‡.
Roe deer are a truly native species.
Social structure
Roe are normally seen in loose family groups or as single animals. Bucks are
mostly solitary whereas does will be accompanied by kids most of the year. May
form small groups over winter and early spring.
Body Condition
As selective browsers, body condition will be particularly affected by
seasonal growth patterns and availability of preferred food types. (e.g. hot
summers may suppress herb growth resulting in lactating females being unable to
maintain condition).
Patterns of activity
Habitat and range
Woodlands or farmland providing permanent cover are preferred but roe are
increasingly found on open moorland and in urban /suburban areas. Females occupy
small (< 0.5 km2) distinct areas which may overlap.
Feeding
Primarily browsers, roe are selective and thrive best in woodland habitats offering diversity in food types including herbs, brambles, ivy, heather, bilberry & coniferous tree shoots.
Daily movements
Roe are generally crepuscular i.e. they feed mostly at dawn and dusk and, as
a result, in concealing habitat the possibility of encountering significantly
increases at first and last light when they tend to be most active. Long periods
may be spent ‘lying up’ between feeding bouts.
Seasonal movements
Apr to Jun: Both sexes making use of spring flushes of vegetation for feeding. Bucks are active setting-up and defending territories. This is the most productive time for culling bucks.
Jul/Aug: Bucks are rutting and more likely to respond to use of a
call but are often difficult to see due to concealing ground cover.
Sep/Oct: Feeding activity often increases however roe are still difficult to see due to concealing cover.
Nov—Mar: Feeding activity generally decreases due to a
reduced metabolic rate. Deer may refrain from feeding for longer periods than
normal but if disturbed then food will be required to replenish expended energy.
Jan—Mar: Often the most productive months for culling does. During the non-territorial period mixed-sex groups or ‘bevvies’ (up to 30 individuals) can be found sharing a limited food resource.
Response to weather
Roe are particularly sensitive to cold winds and the wet, often seeking
shelter from heavy rain. On hot days roe are less active. However, after heavy
rain or during periods of hard frost they tend to move out in the open into the
sun to dry or to feed. This can increase the possibility of encountering deer
during the day. After heavy snowfall deer often lie up for a day or two but may
move out of conifer woodlands during a thaw to avoid dripping trees.
Response to humans:
When frequently disturbed, roe may become increasingly nocturnal, making more
use of open spaces during the hours of darkness.
Damage
Jan—Apr: The majority of browsing damage occurs.* Damage to winter cereal and root crops may occur.
Feb—Aug: Fraying damage by bucks occurs at territory margins as bucks compete.
Late Sept—Oct. Unprotected broadleaved trees can suffer heavy browsing.
Jump to top