Mammals
Roe deer
Capreolus capreolus
The roe deer is Europe's smallest deer, elegant and shy, with the characteristic white rump patch that flashes as it flees. Males carry short branched antlers that they renew every year.
In short
The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a species with IUCN conservation status LC (Least concern). It favours woodland edges, clearings and farmland dotted with hedges, where it finds cover and the tender shoots it feeds on. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: request the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the roe deer live?
It favours woodland edges, clearings and farmland dotted with hedges, where it finds cover and the tender shoots it feeds on. It is most active at dawn and dusk and lives alone or in small groups.
Is the roe deer endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Least Concern (LC) with an increasing population: it is among the large mammals that have most successfully recolonised Europe. Local pressures come from road traffic and hunting management.
Facts about the roe deer
- It is Europe's smallest deer.
- In females, embryo implantation is delayed by months (diapause).
- Its alarm call is a hoarse bark, surprising for a deer.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Capreolus capreolus (Least Concern)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.