Roe Deer
The deer is the smallest member of the family Capreolus, in Sweden. The height of the withers is approximately 70 centimetres. However, it is also one of the fastest Capreolus in Europe. A frightened deer can reach a top speed at over 60 km/h. Furthermore, the deer is the most common Capreolus, in Sweden, except in the north where reindeer is dominant. This is quite impressing since the deer was almost totally extinguished nearly 200 years ago and moreover, one hundred years ago it was seen as a South Scandinavian rarity. When the species finally began to spread again, they had nearly been forgotten. People who saw them were puzzled spoke of them as spellbound hares, the size of goats and with red fur. Nowadays, it is common to see deer in cities and in the suburbs, something that would be unthinkable in the past.
During the summer the deer adult has a red fur, similar to that of the fox. During winter it is grey brown which serves well as camouflage in areas with snow.
Deer eats a lot of herbs which they pick with great care. Rosebay is a favourite but it also eats a lot of twigs from trees and bushes. Essentially, the fox poses the greatest threat to a deer. In spite of the deer’s good hearing, it will often become the prey of many predators. When a deer senses danger, the white fur on its bottom raises, which signals to other deer that it is time to run.
The Swedish word for deer, “rådjur” originates from the Old Swedish word radiur which means “spotted” or “mottled” animal. This might appear a bit strange since the roe deer is only spotted as a fawn, that is, during the first few weeks of its life.
