Fallow Deer
Dama dama
Fia Buí
What group of animals does the fallow deer belong to?
Like sheep, cows and goats, deer are ruminants - herbivores with cloven hooves and a complex stomach for breaking down grasses and other vegetation. Deer are different from other ruminants in that the males have a set of antlers which are regrown every summer, rather than permanent horns on the head.
How big is a fallow deer?
The fallow deer is our second largest wild land mammal. The male (buck) is about 1m at the shoulder and weighs up to 100kg. The females (doe) is smaller at about 80cm and 45 kg. The antlers of fallow deer are different from other Irish deer, in that the main part of the antler is palmate, ie broad and flat like the palm of a hand.
Are fallow deer native to Ireland?
Fallow deer are not native to Ireland, but originated in the eastern Mediterranean region. Over the centuries they were introduced to areas of northern and western Europe as a source of food and a decorative animal. They were introduced to Ireland by the Normans, at Glencree, Co. Wicklow in about 1244. Many deer parks were set up around the country, and escapes from these has led to the fallow deer now being the most widespread deer in Ireland.
Where do fallow deer live?
The fallow deer is a lowland animal, preferring a mixture of woodlands and open pasture, which provides both food and shelter. There is very little mixing between different populations, even within a small area. Fallow deer can be found adjacent to the Park, in Clara Vale Nature Reserve.
Do fallow deer live in groups?
Yes, deer are social animals. Most of the year, bucks and does live in separate herds of related animals, which may come together in large groups up to in the hundreds. Apart from some bucks, fallow deer are not territorial as such, although herds will have their own home range. In autumn, as the breeding season approaches, the male herds break up as the stags become more aggressive, and go their separate ways to find females.
What do fallow deer eat?
Like all ruminants, fallow deer are herbivores. They are mostly grazers, with grass making up the bulk of their food. However, they also browse on leaves, fruit and herbs. Occasionally they may strip bark from trees. Fallow deer feed mainly in the early morning and late evening.
Do fallow deer make noises?
During the breeding season or rut, which takes place in October, fallow bucks call to attract does and as a challenge to other bucks. This calling is known as ‘groaning’ and what it really sounds like is belching! The sounds carry far through the autumn woodland. When two bucks encounter each other, they will often fight for access to the does with a clash of antlers.
When are baby fallow deer born?
Young fallow deer, or fawns, are born in June after a pregnancy of about 8 months. They have a spotted coat for camouflage, and spend the first two weeks of their life lying hidden in vegetation, where their mothers visit them for feeding. Fawns are weaned at 9 to 12 months of age.
How long do fallow deer live?
Bucks live for about 8 to 10 years, does up to 12 years, though 20 year-old does have been recorded in captivity. In the absence of predators, many deer live to old age, although quite a large number are killed in traffic accidents.
Do fallow deer have any predators ?
Humans are now the only predators of deer in Ireland. In the past, wolves used to hunt deer, but the last Irish wolf was shot in Carlow in 1786. Without natural predators to keep the deer population in balance, numbers of deer have grown hugely in the past 2 centuries, and in many areas, there are now more deer than their habitat can support. So a certain amount have to be culled by national parks, foresters and other land managers over winter.
Are fallow deer protected?
Fallow deer are protected under the Wildlife Act, but are classed as a quarry species, with a hunting season. A licence is needed for hunting or culling deer, and the meat, called venison, is often sold to restaurants. For more information about deer hunting in Ireland (rules, seasons & licences), see the Citizens Information website.