European Roe Deer

(Capreolus capreolus)

The roe is one of the two truly native deer of the British Isles. Records date them as here before the Mesolithic period (6000 to 10000 years BC).  Today, roe deer are abundant in the United Kingdom except for Northern Ireland. The increase in woodland of the 20th century saw a rise in both population and distribution of the roe deer.  Previously they had suffered an almost catastrophic decline due to over-hunting and deforestation.  Roe deer are the only known deer species capable of embryonic diapause or delayed implantation. This is a reproductive strategy whereby they can delay the development of an embryo in order to time the birth of their offspring for favorable conditions. 

Gestation period:

270 – 290 days

Threats to species:

 The main threat in Europe is the increased mixing of various genetic pools as a result of translocation.

Conservation Today for Wildlife Tomorrow