Red deer

Cervus elaphus

The red deer is the largest wild animal in our forests. It has several scent glands whose signals play an important role in social communication. During the rut, the preorbital glands in front of the eyes produce a distinctive-smelling, brownish secretion. These so-called “deer tears” are rubbed onto trees and shrubs and are used for communication and scent marking.

During the rut, males compete for females, engaging in impressive fights and producing powerful roars that can be heard from far away. Red deer grow a new set of antlers every year. They begin growing in spring, reach their full size by late summer and are shed in late winter.