Roe Deer: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Horns and Trunks · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. Roe deer put pregnancy on pause. They mate in July-August, but the embryo only settles in around late December or early January.
2. Roe bucks grow antlers 20-25 cm long, shed them each autumn, then sprout new ones.
3. When conditions are good, roe deer populations can double every year.
4. Fawns are born in June after a ten-month pregnancy, usually as spotted twins: one male and one female.
5. A roe deer can be up to 135 cm long, yet an average adult weighs only 20 to 25 kg.

The quiz

1. When does the roe deer embryo implant?

• Right after mating in July
• In March
• Around late December or early January (correct)
• In June

They mate in July-August, but the embryo only settles in around late December or early January.

2. How long are the antlers of a roe buck?

• 20-25 cm (correct)
• 5-10 cm
• 40-50 cm
• 60-70 cm

Bucks grow antlers 20-25 cm long and shed them each autumn.

3. How often can roe deer populations double when conditions are good?

• Every decade
• Every year (correct)
• Every five years
• Every month

In good conditions roe deer numbers can double every year.

4. In which month are roe deer fawns born?

• January
• September
• December
• June (correct)

Fawns are born in June after a ten-month pregnancy.

5. How much does an average adult roe deer weigh?

• 20 to 25 kg (correct)
• 200 to 250 kg
• 2 to 2.5 kg
• 100 kg

An average adult weighs only 20 to 25 kg, even though it can be up to 135 cm long.

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