The cervidae family.

Part three the fallow deer.

Fallow deer were introduced to Britain by the Normans in the 11`th century. They were one of the first conservationists, due to the fact that although the Normans hunted them they still allowed enough numbers to breed and develop into a healthy population. Fallow deer can be found in woodlands and parks. They feed mainly on grass and shrubbery in mixed woodland. They will often be seen sheltering together in the undergrowth. The males are called bucks, the females are called does. The fawns are born singly in June, often being hidden in the grass. The bucks can stand up to one meter in height at the shoulder and can weigh up to eighty five kilometer`s. The bucks have broad bladed antlers that are quite distinctive amongst British deers. Rutting for fallow deer is between October and November. At the rut the male uses his antlers to rub his head against saplings to mark his territory, he also frays the bark. He will also thrash his antlers against various branches and bushes, the fallow will bellow out loudly aswell (their call is a big like barking noise) , he will also scrape the ground with his hooves and mark it with his urine. Rival bucks will fight fiercely  for the right to mate with the does, who will come into season for a short period. Away form the rutting stands the bucks will together happily in herds. Their summer coat is typically chestnut brown with white spots with a white rump, their winter coat is a darker colour, they also have a long black and white tail. Menil deers can be pale brown with white spots, but fallows may also be black or white in clour aswell.