Roe deer

Capreolus capreolus

Family

Cervidae

Distribution

The roe deer is now the most common wild ungulate in Switzerland, although it came close to disappearing in the last century.

Lifestyle

The bucks and does are solitary and defend their territories. They come together only in the winter in small groups. Like elk, their social behaviour is little developed and they are often very aggressive towards others of their species.

Reproduction

Their mating season is in July and August. The fertilised egg does not become implanted in the uterus until late autumn, undergoing only a few cell divisions during this resting period. Once implanted, the formation of the embryo begins in earnest. One to two fawns are born in May/June.

Diet

Roe deer are very selective in their search for easily digestible, energy-rich plants and plant elements, shoots and buds. Where the concentration of roe deer is high, they will graze almost all the plants they favour. Roe deer only have a small rumen, which means that they need to graze several times a day.

Senses

As is the case for other species who live in well-covered areas, they have very acute hearing and sense of smell. Their sight focuses on contrasts of light and dark and movements.

The roe deer in Langenberg

Since 1869. Initial attempts were abandoned as keeping roe deer is challenging but roe deer were successfully reintroduced to Langenberg in 1993. The roe deer live in the western part in a large enclosure, which is connected to the elk enclosure by sliding gates.