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Fallow Deer
11
03
2009
 

Fallow Deer
by josieO

The regional home of the fallow deer was north Africa and the countries bordering the Mediterranean, but it was introduced into northern Europe centuries ago and it has long been a favorite in the deer parks on large estates in England and on the continent. There are few prettier sites in the animal world than a large herd of fallow deer, for they range in color from pure white through yellowish brown to almost black, some animals with large white spots at least part of the year. Through long association with man in game preserves, they have largely lost the timidity and shyness of most dear. They are gregarious, traveling and raising and large herds.

One fawn, very rarely two, is born in the spring. The antler’s begin to appear in the second year and reach their full size in the fifth year. Like almost all members of the dear family, fallow deer shed their answers in the spring and new ones start growing immediately, springing as soft, spongy new growth from the bony scar left by the fallen antlers. The new antlers are covered by a fuzzy skin during the summer, while growing and hardening, during this period the animal is said to be “in velvet.” By fall, the velvet begins to peel off and eight layers are bone hard.

A common mistake is to refer to the antlers of deer has horns. Properly speaking, horns grow continuously until they reach maximum size, or never shed, and are carried by such animals as cattle, antelopes, sheep and goats; antler’s are shed and renewed each year, and are peculiar to the deer tribe.

 

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Posted in Deer by josieO
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