Red Deer

Antlers and autumn

Red deer are among the largest land mammals in Europe. Only stags grow antlers, which are shed and regrown each year and can become very large in mature males.

The rut

In autumn, stags compete for access to groups of hinds. They roar to advertise condition and challenge rivals, and research has shown that lower, more frequent roars are associated with stronger males. Rival stags often settle disputes by roaring and walking alongside one another before any fighting occurs.

Managing deer and woodland

Where predators are absent, red deer can reach high densities and prevent young trees from regrowing. Managers use culling, fencing and sometimes predator reintroduction to find a balance.

Further reading: How Animal Communication Works: Sounds, Signals and Meaning

Conservation status follows the IUCN Red List as we understand it at the time of writing. Assessments are revised regularly, so please check the IUCN Red List for the current listing.