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Young Roe Deer
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
ROE DEER (Capreolus capreolus)
There is only one species of Roe deer, divided into European, Siberian and Chinese subspecies. We have some coming very close to our place, surrounded by woodlands, fields and non cultivated land. This young male is about 7 months old.
PELAGE
Young Roe, born between late May and early June, are called kids or fawns. At birth, Roe kids have a dark brown coat which is heavily spotted with clear patches. The spots soon begin to fade and are usually gone in about 8-10 weeks. The kids then develop their first winter coat. That's what you see here. Winter coat is shed from April to May. The summer coat is chestnut red, sometimes varying to a sandy yellow. Both bucks and does are marked on the face with a white spot on the upper lip either side of the nose and the chin is also white.
ANTLER DEVELOPMENT
Buck kids develop a small knob (or button) on top of their pedicle during the first nine months of life. It' noticeable here. This knob is shed in early spring and the first antler begins to grow. During its development, the growing antler is covered in a grey furry membrane known as velvet.
HABITAT AND FEEDING
Roe are herbivores and a highly adaptable species found in a wide variety of habitats. Features that must be present whatever the habitat are shelter and a variety of food plants. Roe are predominantly selective browsers, however they also graze, feeding on shoots, herbs, grasses, fruits, nuts, fungi, pine needles and twiggy browse during hard times. They can also be a calamity for attentive gardeners, as they love rosebuds!
VOICE AND CALLS
The main call of the Roe is a bark. The bark resembles that of a medium size dog. Bucks make a variety of other noises during the rut when pursuing a doe. The doe mostly barks as a warning to her kids and may continue to bark in various patterns for some time.
Whilst Roe have a remarkable sense of smell, their eyesight is limited as they have monochromic vision, seeing in shades of black and white. However Roe are able to detect the slightest physical movement and can spot a moving human form at considerable distances.
Information exerpts from this site.
**This post was previously on TrekEarth. Removed and transferred on TN.**
Shot in my neighbourhood, where game is fed during winter. Early morning, backlight sun. PP: levels, USM (120,1,0,0) |
willie, pompey, Luc has marked this note useful
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