Cervus elaphus

E43396

Cervus elaphus, commonly known as the red deer, is a large, widespread species of deer native to Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa, and is one of the most studied and culturally significant wild ungulates.


Statements (62)
Predicate Object
instanceOf deer
mammal
species
activityPattern crepuscular
antlerType branched antlers
binomialName Cervus elaphus
bodyMassFemale typically 80–120 kg
bodyMassMale up to 250 kg
breedingSystem polygynous
class Mammalia
coatColor grey-brown in winter
reddish-brown in summer
commonName red deer
conservationStatus Least Concern
conservationStatusSystem IUCN Red List
culturalSignificance featured in hunting traditions
important in European folklore
symbolic in Celtic mythology
describedBy Carl Linnaeus
diet herbivore
ecologicalRole influences vegetation structure
prey for large carnivores
family Cervidae
femaleCalled hind
genus Cervus
gestationPeriod about 230 days
habitat grasslands
mountainous areas
woodlands
hasAntlers males only
hasSexualDimorphism true
introducedTo Argentina
Australia
Canada
Chile
New Zealand
United States
isGameSpecies true
juvenileCalled calf
kingdom Animalia
lifespanCaptive up to 20 years or more
lifespanWild about 10–15 years
litterSize usually 1 calf
maleCalled hart
stag
management subject to game management and culling in parts of Europe
matingSeason autumn rut
nativeTo Central Asia
Europe
North Africa
Western Asia
order Artiodactyla
phylum Chordata
shoulderHeightMale about 1.2–1.5 m
socialStructure herd-forming
taxonRank species
threats habitat loss
overhunting in some regions
trophicLevel primary consumer
usedFor trophy hunting
venison production
yearDescribed 1758

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Cervus elaphus
binomialName
Artiodactyla
includesExampleSpecies

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