There are six main species of wild deer in the UK:
Red deer
Red deer are Britain’s largest land mammal, red deer are known for their reddish-brown coats, although the colour can vary depending on the season and location. They are typically larger than sika deer, with adult males, known as stags, weighing between 160-240 kg (350-530 lbs) and standing around 1.2-1.5 meters (4-5 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female red deer, known as hinds, are smaller, typically weighing between 120-170 kg (265-375 lbs) and standing around 1-1.2 meters (3-4 feet) tall.
Roe deer
Roe deer are Britain’s most common deer. Roe deer are smaller than both red deer and sika deer, with adult males, known as bucks, weighing between 15-30 kg (33-66 lbs) and standing around 0.7-0.75 meters (2-2.5 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female roe deer, known as does, are slightly smaller, typically weighing between 10-20 kg (22-44 lbs) and standing around 0.6-0.7 meters (2-2.3 feet) tall.
Sika deer
Silka deer are medium-sized deer, typically weighing between 40-70 kg (88-154 lbs) and standing around 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) tall at the shoulder. Sika deer have distinctive spotted coats that vary in colour from reddish-brown to dark brown, and they are known for their distinctive whistling alarm call.
Fallow deer
Fallow deer are medium-sized deer, with adult males, known as bucks, weighing between 50-100 kg (110-220 lbs) and standing around 0.9-1.2 meters (3-4 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female fallow deer, known as does, are smaller, typically weighing between 30-50 kg (66-110 lbs) and standing around 0.75-1 meter (2.5-3.3 feet) tall.
Fallow deer are known for their distinctive coats, which can vary in colour from reddish-brown to black or white and are typically covered in white spots. They also have broad, flattened antlers, which are shed and regrown each year.
Muntjac deer
Muntjac deer are among the smallest species of deer, with adult males, known as bucks, weighing between 10-18 kg (22-40 lbs) and standing around 0.5-0.6 meters (1.6-2 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female muntjac deer, known as does, are slightly smaller, typically weighing between 9-16 kg (20-35 lbs) and standing around 0.45-0.5 meters (1.5-1.6 feet) tall.
Muntjac deer have short, stocky legs and a hunched appearance, and they are known for their sharp, pointed antlers, which are only present on males. They are generally solitary animals and are active primarily at night, although they can sometimes be seen during the day in areas with little human activity.
Chinese water deer
Chinese water deer are smaller than most other deer species, with adult males, known as bucks, weighing between 11-18 kg (24-40 lbs) and standing around 0.5-0.6 meters (1.6-2 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female Chinese water deer, known as does, are slightly smaller, typically weighing between 9-14 kg (20-31 lbs) and standing around 0.45-0.5 meters (1.5-1.6 feet) tall.
