Animals & Tracks
The roe deer – the small, quick one
The roe deer is the smallest of our deer, and also the most recent member of the family here in Norway. The roe deer established itself in the country at the start of the 20th century…
Created: May 30, 2022 9:47 AM
Capreolus capreolus
Height: 70 - 85 cm
Weight: 22 - 30 kg
The roe deer is the smallest of our deer, and also the most recent member of the family here in Norway. The roe deer established itself in the country at the start of the 20th century and is regarded as a newcomer to our fauna.
The roe deer lives alone or in small family groups. In winter they are more often gathered together, and you can also see bucks moving in groups. As spring goes on, the bucks begin to hold territory and stop tolerating one another. The rut is in July/August.
The roe deer browses on many different herbs, shrubs and trees. In winter they browse on buds, twigs and bark. Because of its small size and thin legs, the roe deer is vulnerable in the Norwegian winter. Heavy snow creates great problems for the roe deer. It can struggle both to get around and to find enough food. The roe deer thrives best in cultural landscape close to people. Here there is usually easier access to browse for the roe deer.
Do not touch roe deer kids!
When you are out on a tur in spring, you may stumble across the small roe deer kids. It is easy to think the kid has been abandoned and that you have to look after it. But do not touch it! The mother is in fact not far away! The roe deer doe leaves the kid lying while she is out browsing. She returns at regular intervals to give it milk. Several hours can pass between each time she visits the kid, and if there is too much smell of human around the kid she may become afraid to come near it! This applies to many other animals, such as hares. That is why it is important to keep your distance from any young animals you might stumble across!
Photo: Bjørn Henrik Stavdal Johansen
Next steps
- Animals and tracks — the hub
- The red deer — other deer
- The moose — other deer
- The reindeer — other deer
Learn more
- Artsdatabanken — species, status, Red List
- Miljødirektoratet — large carnivores — management
- NINA — Norsk institutt for naturforskning — research on Norwegian fauna
- Naturveilederen — Bjørn Henrik Stavdal Johansen — nature interpretation