Red Deer Facts | Switzerland Wildlife Guide
Red deer, a magnificent animal closely related to North American elk, were hunted to extinction in Switzerland in the 19th century. This loss led to the migration and/or extinction of their natural predators. The numbers rose again as red deer migrated from Austria, with a current population of about 35,000.
Different from both ibex and chamois, male red deer live in herds outside of mating season. Starting at two years old, the males grow antlers each year between March and July and shed them by the end of each winter. Ibex and chamois grow one set of horns throughout their entire life span.
Rutting season, September to October, involves such ferocious fighting that stags suffer serious injuries and sometimes, though rarely, stags may die. Mothers (hinds) give birth from early to mid-June, the fawns difficult to see due to excellent camouflage from their white-spotted brownish red coats. Females live with the young from the previous year in small herds. Mothers identify their young by smell emitted from glands located below the eyes. Fawns can also cry out when in distress, a unique call recognized by each mother.
Different from both ibex and chamois, male red deer live in herds outside of mating season. Starting at two years old, the males grow antlers each year between March and July and shed them by the end of each winter. Ibex and chamois grow one set of horns throughout their entire life span.
Rutting season, September to October, involves such ferocious fighting that stags suffer serious injuries and sometimes, though rarely, stags may die. Mothers (hinds) give birth from early to mid-June, the fawns difficult to see due to excellent camouflage from their white-spotted brownish red coats. Females live with the young from the previous year in small herds. Mothers identify their young by smell emitted from glands located below the eyes. Fawns can also cry out when in distress, a unique call recognized by each mother.
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