Roe deer Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Roe deer

Male (buck) and female (doe) roe deer
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

Range of Capreolus capreolus
Synonyms
Cervus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758

This article is about the European species. For the Asian species, see Siberian roe deer.

Male and female roe deer

A young roe deer fawn

Range of the European roe deer

The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a type of deer found in Europe and parts of Asia. It is also known as the European roe deer. This helps people tell it apart from its relative, the Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), which lives in Asia.

What Roe Deer Look Like
- Roe Deer Fawns
- Male Roe Deer Antlers
Where Roe Deer Live
Roe Deer Life Cycle
- Birth and Growth
- How Long Roe Deer Live
Related Animals and Stories
Images for kids
See also

What Roe Deer Look Like

Roe deer are smaller than many other deer species. In summer, their fur is a reddish-brown color. When winter comes, their fur changes to a greyish-brown or dark brown.

Roe Deer Fawns

Baby roe deer, called fawns, have reddish-brown fur. They also have white spots on their backs and sides, which help them blend in with their surroundings.

Male Roe Deer Antlers

Male roe deer, known as bucks, grow antlers. These antlers are quite small compared to those of other deer. They can grow to be about 20 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches) long. Each antler usually has two or three points, but sometimes they can have four.

Where Roe Deer Live

Roe deer live across much of Europe. They are also found in Asia Minor and along the coast of the Caspian Sea. They prefer areas with forests, woodlands, and open fields.

Roe Deer Life Cycle

Roe deer usually mate during July and August. This is when the male and female deer come together to have babies.

Birth and Growth

After about 10 months, the female roe deer gives birth. This usually happens in May or June. A female typically has one to three fawns, but most often she has two. These young deer become mature and can have their own babies when they are about one and a half years old.

How Long Roe Deer Live

In the wild, roe deer can live for about 10 to 12 years. If they live in a safe place like a zoo or wildlife park, they can sometimes live even longer, up to 17 years.