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Deer

Cervidae

Deer are hoofed ruminant mammals in the family Cervidae. The family includes animals such as white-tailed deer, mule deer (including black-tailed deer), elk/wapiti, moose, red deer, caribou (reindeer), fallow deer, roe deer, pudús, and chital.

In most deer species, males grow bony, branching antlers that are shed and regrown annually; the major exception is the reindeer (caribou), in which females also grow antlers. The Chinese water deer is unusual among deer because males lack antlers entirely and instead have enlarged upper canine teeth (“tusks”). This antler cycle distinguishes deer from permanently horned bovids (often called “antelope,” as well as cattle, sheep, and goats): antlers are bone and shed, while horns are not shed and are covered in keratin.

Deer are hoofed ruminant mammals in the family Cervidae. The family includes animals such as white-tailed deer, mule deer (including black-tailed deer), elk/wapiti, moose, red deer, caribou (reindeer), fallow deer, roe deer, pudús, and chital.

In most deer species, males grow bony, branching antlers that are shed and regrown annually; the major exception is the reindeer (caribou), in which females also grow antlers. The Chinese water deer is unusual among deer because males lack antlers entirely and instead have enlarged upper canine teeth (“tusks”). This antler cycle distinguishes deer from permanently horned bovids (often called “antelope,” as well as cattle, sheep, and goats): antlers are bone and shed, while horns are not shed and are covered in keratin.