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Nature

Deer

What is deer?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Family Cervidae[2]
Order Artiodactyla[3]
Species count 43 species[3]
Common feature Antlers[4]
Diet Herbivores[3]

Deer are hoofed ruminant mammals in the family Cervidae, defined by antlers that are shed and regrown annually, and are herbivores that eat plants. [3] [4] [1]

Context

Deer are hoofed ruminant mammals in the family Cervidae, commonly defined by antlers that are shed and regrown each year [4]. They are specialized herbivores that feed on plant food [3]. Examples include White Tailed Deer, Mule Deer, elk, moose, and reindeer [4]. Deer are even-toed ungulates, placing them in the order Artiodactyla [6]. Unlike horned animals such as antelope, deer shed their antlers annually [5]. The family includes 43 species, ranging from the small Roe Deer to the large moose [3].

Documented claims

  • Deer are even-toed ungulates, meaning they have hooves with an even number of toes. [2]
  • Male deer of most species grow antlers, but females of one species also have them. [3]
  • Deer are distinguished from horned animals like antelope by antlers that are shed annually. [5]

Related

Muntjac DeerMuntjac Deer ar en specifik art som lasare kan vilja lasa mer omChinese Water DeerChinese Water Deer ar en annan art som lasare kan vilja jamfora medMouse DeerMouse Deer ar en narliggande art som lasare kan vilja utforska

Questions and answers

What is special about a deer?

Deer are special because they have antlers that are shed and regrown each year, a feature that distinguishes them from horned animals like antelope [5].

What looks like a deer but isn't a deer?

Antelope look similar to deer but are not deer; they have permanent horns rather than antlers that are shed annually [5].

What are the 43 species of deer?

The 43 species of deer include white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, reindeer, and roe deer, among others [4].

Sources

  1. Deer | Characteristics, Species, Types, Family, & Facts — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. deer - Students — kids.britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Learn about deer — mass.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Deer | Anatomy and Physiology | Research Starters - EBSCO — ebsco.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. Deer | Encyclopedia.com — encyclopedia.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  6. Facts About Deer | Live Science — livescience.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature