Is this a Roe Deer?

[Yashca]

I saw this on friday in Scarborough. I thought it might be a Roe Der. Does anyone agree with this? Disagree with this. Just trying to make sure I've got the right name. I'm better with moths you see.

[aeshna5]

Yes, female (doe) Roe Deer.

[Dogghound]

Yes its a female Roe Deer

Ahh beat me to it lol

[Yashca]

Thanks for your help. I always doubt my own identifications when they don't involve lepidoptera.

[rlchew]

I would have said Roe Deer too .... but how do you ID it as a female?

Richard

[The Woodman]

The bucks, males, are in velvet at this time of year, meaning that their growing antlers which are situated between their ears are covered with a fine velvety skin, which dies and is rubbed off when the antlers have grown to full size later in the year basically. Although I can't enlarge the image, I can't see any antlers, even very small ones that might signify a yearling. The conformity of the beast looks female, nice photo of a roe in winter coat.

[Deer Stalker]

Does also have what is called an anal tuft (a tuft of hairs hanging down from the rump) which you can make out in the picture. The rump patch is different shapes in the sexes, but the photo doesn't show this.

[muldonach]

As others have said it is a roe and a female

Be a bit careful about relying on antlers to identify the gender - in our part of Scotland mature males are in good growth but yearlings are only just at eruption.

As others have mentioned the anal tush clearly indicates a doe, if you cannot see antlers or the tush look under the belly just in front of the back legs - in a mature beast like this the penile sheath and tuft of a buck are quite prominent.

A younger beast will have a more rounded look with a slightly arched back and a light mobile neck and generally appear "lighter on its feet"

Cheers
mac

[mh68]

Originally Posted by muldonach

if you cannot see antlers or the tush look under the belly just in front of the back legs - in a mature beast like this the penile sheath and tuft of a buck are quite prominent.


Cheers
mac

I think this shot illustrates quite well what muldonach means, its not erm...difficult to make out the gender on these whether antler growth was present or not



Mark H

[Dogghound]

Also i believe females occasionally grow antlers in roe deer which would make things harder, but these are usually underdeveloped.