Tuesday, 18 November 2014

November 2014 Mammal of the Month


We're pleased to announce that our Mammal of the Month for November is the Fallow Deer 

Photo Credit: Johann-Nikolaus Andreae (Wikicommons)

   
 
Our top five facts for this species are:
  • They were introduced to the UK by the Normans - they originally come from south-west Asia - and are now the most common deer in the UK.
  • They are in between roe deer and red deer in size and have spotty coats and a white bottom edged with black stripes.
  • The rutting season is October and November so keep an ear out if you're out and about in the woods this month.
  • Females can live up to 16 years in the wild.
  • Nearly 2/3 of their diet is grass but they will also browse young trees and eat acorns, beech mast and chestnuts in the autumn.

Please record your sightings here

If you'd like to find out more about this species check out the Mammal Society's fact sheet here

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