Deer are one of the most abundant groups of wild animals in the UK, with population estimates as high as 2 million individuals, the highest level in 1000 years. But how much do you know about them? Vet Ashley explores the species that are increasingly common in the British countryside and suburbs.

Why are there so many deer in the UK? 

Deer have no natural predators in the UK, which means their numbers continue to rise rapidly. Historically, wolves and lynx would have predated deer, resulting in stable population numbers, but as these species are no longer present as wild animals in the UK, deer populations continue to rise annually. 

What species of deer are present in the UK? 

In the UK there are six main species of wild deer. These are: 

Red deer (Cervus elaphus)  

A native deer species and the largest wild mammal in the UK, with males weighing up to 190kg and standing at 1.37m tall. They have a distinctive red colouration to their fur in the summer, which turns a brown colour in the winter. The males’ antlers are particularly distinctive with angled branches coming off the main antler which increase in number as the deer ages. They shed their antlers in the spring, with full regrowth visible by late summer/early autumn.  

They have an average lifespan of 18 years and are found throughout the UK, with large populations in Scotland, the Lake District, East Anglia and the south-west of England. They prefer woodland and forest habitats although have been known to adapt to moorlands. They breed between September and November, with calves born between May and July following an 8-month gestation. 

Sika deer (Cervus nippon)  

Introduced from the far east in the 1800s, sika deer currently residing in the UK are generally thought to be Japanese sika. Smaller than the Red deer, they can weigh up to 70kg and stand at 95cm tall. Sika deer have a varying coat colour from yellow/brown with white spots in the summer to grey/black in the winter. They have a noticeable white colouration to their rump and inner thighs and a dark stripe along their back.  

Sika are most commonly found in Scotland but have been seen in smaller numbers across other parts of the UK. They have a 7.5-month gestation with calves born annually May-June, following a rutting season from September – November. Alarmingly, there are reported to be a high number of Red Sika deer hybrids appearing, mostly in areas where there two populations of deer have crossed over. 

Fallow deer (Dama dama)  

Introduced initially in the Roman era, following a temporary period of absence, they were brought over from the Mediterranean and reestablished in the 11th century in deer parks in the UK. As numbers increased, they flowed out of deer parks and despite not being a native deer species in the UK, their long history has resulted in them being accepted as a naturalized deer species in the UK. Larger than Sika deer but smaller than Red deer, they can weigh up to 93kg and similarly to the Sika deer stand around 90cm tall.  

They are found throughout the UK, with population numbers largest in England and Wales and fewer individuals found in Scotland. Fallow deer fawns are usually born in June or July each year following a 7.5-month gestation. Fallows have palmate antlers, which are wide, flat, sheet-like antlers that don’t have branching, and are the only deer species in the UK with this style of antler.  

Fallow deer have unique coat colourations, with four accepted variations. These are:  

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  • tan with white spots – known as common, they have a white rump with a black inverted horseshoe shape border, and are generally grey coloured in the winter, 
  • white – white or sandy coloured, becoming more white as they age, 
  • black – known as melanistic, black/chocolate coloured, 
  • pale with white spots year round – known as Menil, they also have a caramel inverted horseshoe shape on their rumps . 

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) 

Like the Red deer, Roe deer are truly native species to the UK and have not been introduced by humans. They are one of the smallest species of deer in the UK, and can weigh up to 25kg and stand up to 75cm tall. Their coat colours vary from a deep bright reddish in the summer to a deep grey colour in the winter. They have an average lifespan of 10yrs and are very territorial, with same sex deer not tolerating others in their territory.  

Roe deer are found all over the UK except in Wales where they are absent. The Roe deer breeding season is between July and August, but kids are born in May – June, after the embryo undergoes a 4 month period of delayed implantation, where it waits to start growing once the weather is better meaning the kid (a Roe fawn) will be born at a more favorable time of year. 

Muntjac deer (Muntiacus spp.)  

Muntjac deer were introduced from China to Bedfordshire, UK in the 20th century as part of a captive population. The captive population ended up establishing in the wild in the UK and Muntjac are now found in large numbers across south and central England and Wales. Muntjac have a unique appearance when compared to other deer in the UK. Their rumps are higher than their shoulders leading to a hunched appearance, they have stocky builds with a brown-coloured coat which turns grey in the winter. The antlers of males are small and short and have no branches.  

Muntjac deer are classed as an invasive alien species, and as a result it is illegal to release them into the wild without a license, import them to the UK, or breed them in captivity.  

Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis)  

Chinese water deer were initially kept in captivity in London and Bedfordshire, UK, in the early twentieth century, but as animals escaped and were released over time a wild population is now very well established in the UK.  

Their distribution in the UK today remains primarily in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Chinese water deer are small species, with weights up to 15kg and standing at up to 55cm tall. They have a rutting period between November and December each year and give birth to young between May and July after a 6-7 month gestation period. 

You can read more about UK wild deer on the British Deer Society website. 

What should you do if you see a deer in the wild? 

Witnessing deer in the wild is magical and an experience to truly be appreciated. Deer can be spooked easily by the presence of people, especially if there is unusual or excessive noise or movement. If you are lucky enough to see wild deer it is important to watch them from a distance and give them space to continue their normal activities. Don’t be tempted to try and get closer to them as this can spook them and cause them to run away which can increase the risk of injury if they run towards a road or into a fence etc.  

Utilize equipment such as binoculars to avoid the need to move into their territory and be careful to keep dogs on leads and quiet around them to ensure there is no risk of a dog chasing or spooking them.  

Deer commonly leave their fawns in overgrown grass whilst they are feeding and then will return to them to feed, if you spot a fawn in overgrown grass don’t be tempted to pick it up without seeking advice from a wildlife rehabilitation centre or specialist deer group, as often these are not orphan animals and the mum will likely return soon. If you are concerned the fawn has been orphaned, specialist centres can advise on the best action to take.  

You can find details of British wildlife rehabilitation centres in your area here. 

Summary: 

  • Deer populations are increasing in the UK due to a lack of natural predators 
  • There are 6 known species of deer in the UK, only two of which are truly native species 
  • If you see deer in the wild it is important to remain calm and distant to avoid unnecessary stress to them