Roe deer inhabit forests and fields across Europe and Asia. These elegant animals prefer to live in solitude rather than in the massive herds typical of other species. Furthermore, they possess unique biological traits that help them survive harsh winters. Consequently, they remain the most common and widespread deer in their native regions. Explore these fascinating details about the real-life Bambi.
Roe deer
The author Felix Salten originally wrote the character Bambi as a roe deer. However, Disney changed the species to a white-tailed deer because American audiences found them more familiar.
Females can pause their pregnancy for several months. Uniquely, they delay the implantation of the fertilized egg until January so the babies arrive in warm weather.
These deer bark loudly when they feel threatened. Surprisingly, the deep sound resembles a large dog rather than a gentle forest creature.
Bucks chase does in perfect circles during the mating season. Consequently, their hooves wear down the grass and create visible tracks known as “fairy rings.”
You can identify the gender of the deer by the white patch on its rump. Helpfully, the female possesses an inverted heart shape while the male displays a kidney shape.
They grow their antlers during the winter months. Unlike red deer stags that grow them in summer, roe bucks start regrowing them immediately after shedding in autumn.
Roe deer typically produce twins rather than single fawns. Frequently, the mother hides the two babies in separate locations to increase their chances of survival.
They act as very picky eaters compared to other livestock. Instead of grazing on plain grass, they browse selectively on ivy, brambles, and tree buds.
Their antlers rarely grow more than three points on each side. Therefore, hunters and trackers often refer to a mature male as a “six-pointer.”
The white fur on their rump puffs up when they sense danger. Effectively, this visual signal warns other deer in the area to run for safety.
They lack upper incisor teeth in the front of their mouths. Instead, they use a hard pad of skin to strip leaves and bark off of trees.
Roe deer swim across rivers and lakes with impressive endurance. In fact, they often cross miles of open water to reach islands or find new territory.
Fawns possess white spots on their coats for the first few months. Thus, the pattern mimics the dappled sunlight on the forest floor to confuse predators.
They live as solitary animals for most of the year. Generally, they avoid large groups and prefer to defend their own small territories in the woods.
Finally, they can run at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour. As a result, they rely on quick bursts of agility to escape wolves and lynx.
