Six species of deer live freely in the British countryside. Only red deer and roe deer are truly indigenous. Fallow deer were almost certainly introduced by the Normans while three Asiatic species, Reeves’ muntjac, Chinese water deer and sika deer arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The characteristics of each species make them well-suited to the habitats found across Britain and highly adaptable to environmental changes. Together they make a valuable contribution to biodiversity and are some of our most engaging British mammals.

Somewhat confusingly, the gender and offspring of deer species in the UK have different names.

Species

Male

Female

Offspring

Red deer Stag Hind Calf Sika deer Stag Hind Calf Roe deer Buck Doe Kid Reeves’ muntjac deer Buck Doe Fawn/Kid Fallow deer Buck Doe Fawn Chinese water deer Buck Doe Fawn

Click below for details of native UK deer species.

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