UK Deer Species: Identification and Facts

UK Deer Species

Six deer species are found in the UK.

Sporadic Species

Of these, three species are found sporadically in Central England:

Red Deer

Red Deer are the largest of the indigenous species, found in the Highlands, Southwest Scotland, and Southwest England.

Sika Deer

Sika Deer originated in the Far East and were brought to Ireland in 1860. They are mostly found in Scotland, Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Dorset.

Chinese Water Deer

Chinese Water Deer are a wetland species found mainly in the Fens of East Anglia.

Common Species

The other three species are more commonly found across the UK:

Fallow Deer

Fallow Deer were indigenous, believed to have been driven to the Mediterranean by glaciers in the Ice Age and reintroduced during the Norman Conquest.

• Herding species, living in groups in broad-leaved woodland and arable lands.
• They eat grass and various plants, and can cause damage in silviculture and agriculture.
• Not territorial but live in areas up to 6,000-10,000 hectares, with high density in specific locations. Empirical evidence suggests a density of 1807 per km³ (keeping the number as is, assuming it's density).
• Crepuscular, feeding at dawn and dusk, but if disturbed can become nocturnal.
• Culling is very difficult. To avoid disturbing deer, extend the season from February 28 to March 31.

Roe Deer

Roe Deer are a native species since the Mesolithic period. Extremely scarce in medieval times, they were extinct in the 18th century in South England, Central England, and Wales. Reintroduced in the 19th century in England (Dorset, Sussex, East Anglia).

• Thirty years ago, this species was rarely seen. Today, it occurs in South & North England, Scotland, and is spreading to the Midlands and Wales.
• Stalking as a sport was practiced by few enthusiasts from the 19th century onwards, but has been more generally recognized as a method of control in the last 30 years.
• Animal of small, mixed woodland, but easy to adapt to habitat, seen in farmlands.
• Territorial, small group numbers.
• Secretive but easy to count when feeding at dawn & dusk.
• Population unknown, but may be assumed population density is 50 per km³ of woodland.

Muntjac

There are five species of Muntjac in Asia. Two species were brought to the UK:

• Indian Muntjac to Woburn Park in 1900, eliminated but some escaped and survived until 1925.
• Small Reeves Muntjac introduced in 1900, spread to woodland. UK estimated population is at least 50,000.

Muntjac have only been widely seen in the past 30 years; they are small animals and mobile, and the population is still growing.

• Territorial, social unit is a family group. Young adults are driven off before the next fawn.
• Males scrape with tusks, not antlers. Tusks are the Muntjac's primary weapon.
• Both sexes bark like a dog at intruders.
• Foods include: ivy, bramble, flowers, seeds, fruits, nuts, etc.
• Live in dense woodland, impact flora under 40cm, especially bluebells.
• Traffic accidents, wild dogs, and severe winter weather cause many deaths.