Red Deer in the snow

Red Deer are one of the largest deer species and are found throughout most of Europe as well as in Asia and Africa. They have also been successfully introduced to Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. There is a large indigenous population in Scotland but interbreeding with Sika Deer is also common. Red Deer spend most of the year in single sex groups but join up for the rutting (mating) season which lasts from late August to early winter. The peak breeding age for male deer is around 8 years old and dominant breeding males can have a herd of around 20 hinds.<br /> <br /> The natural predators of Red Deer are wolves and brown bears but as neither of these species exists in the wild in Scotland, deer numbers are carefully managed through selective culling to ensure the strength and health of the animals.