Roe deer, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

© Federica Cattaruzzi/eStoc

Roe deer, Italy

The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), also known as western roe deer or European roe deer, is the smallest species of deer native to Europe. Males tend to be larger and heavier than the females and are often called bucks, while the females are called does. The roe deer almost has no tail, but is easily identified by a tuft of white hair that appears on its rump like a tail during winter. In winter their coats turn a dark grey, like the buck frolicking in the snow in today’s image, and turn a reddish colour in the summer months.

A highly adaptable animal, the roe deer can be found in a variety of different habitats. Though it was originally found in the clearings and glades of heavily forested woodlands, human activity has significantly reduced these areas of dense vegetations, transforming the landscape into agricultural fields and smaller areas of woodland. Luckily for the roe deer, it has the ability to spread and adapt quickly in new habitats. In fact, it has become the most numerous of Europe’s deer species and is the most frequently seen deer across much of Europe.