Red deer
Cervus elaphus
Did you know ... that red deer enjoy eating fly agaric toadstools? Experts think that the poisonous fungi, which would be deadly if consumed by human beings, induces a state of intoxication in the animals.
Family
Cervidae
Distribution
Red deer live in almost all of Europe and have become more common on the Swiss plateau in recent years.
Lifestyle
Red deer live in herds. Outside of the mating season, the hinds and their calves live in large herds apart from the stags, which form bachelor herds of their own. Does form very strong social bonds with each other.
Reproduction
Rutting takes place in September and October in rutting areas that have been used for this purpose for generations. Strong males defend their herds against rivals. The calves are born in May and June. Hinds generally give birth to one calf, which is well camouflaged with white spots.
Diet
The red deer is a ruminant. It eats grass, herbs and twigs from bushes and trees. In some areas, red deer peel the bark off of young trees, which causes damage to the forest.
Senses
Red deer have a very acute sense of smell and good hearing. They also have good twilight vision.
The red deer in Langenberg
Since 1869. They live in three herds: A bachelor group lives along the Albis road. A fascinating sight, especially when all the bulls are wearing their antlers. Below the Orelli House is the breeding group with the females. On the pastures in the direction of Rütibol lives the top deer. He forms a second bachelor group with young bulls from last year. Just like in the wild, our red deer live most of the time in sex-separated groups. Only during the mating season in autumn does the top deer join the females.
