Deer

Deer are hoofed ruminant mammals in the family Cervidae, an even-toed ungulate group that includes species such as white-tailed deer, moose, elk, and caribou.

Deer are hoofed ruminant mammals in the family Cervidae, an even-toed ungulate group that includes species such as white-tailed deer, moose, elk, and caribou. They are known for their slender build and, in most species, antlers that are shed and regrown annually. Deer occur naturally across much of the Northern Hemisphere and beyond, and several species are present in Canada.

Classification and evolution

Deer are even-toed ungulates in the family Cervidae. Sources differ on the exact number of living species, but commonly cited counts range from about 43 to 55 species across several genera and subfamilies.

Physical characteristics

Deer are typically slender, long-legged mammals with two large and two small hooves on each foot. Antlers are one of their most distinctive features and are shed and regrown annually in most species.

Behaviour and diet

Deer are ruminants with specialized digestion and are generally herbivorous. They browse and graze on plant material, and many species are active in forests and other vegetated habitats.

Distribution and habitat

Deer are native to Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and northern Africa, and many species have been introduced elsewhere. They occupy a wide range of habitats, including forests, tundra, deserts, swamps, and mountain slopes.

Deer in Canada

Canadian deer fauna includes white-tailed deer, mule deer, caribou, moose, and elk. These species are part of Canadian wildlife, ecology, hunting, and Indigenous and settler cultural histories.