Animals · Roe deer
Discover the roe deer
A doe and her spotted fawn at the forest edge: Puschel becomes very quiet. Join Flauschi to discover what roe deer need.
The short answer
Roe deer are a separate deer species, smaller than red deer. They have a pale rump patch. Many adult males have small antlers. A roe deer is not a young red deer.
Listen to the animal
Real sounds from nature
A male roe deer barking
A male roe deer makes short, hoarse calls here. They sound a little like barks.
Recording: 1bumer / Wikimedia Commons · Original title: Male roe deer growl.ogg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · MP3 conversion of the original recordingAn imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
Something moves carefully through the grass. Puschel peers over a fern. Flauschi notices a doe with a pale-spotted fawn beside her.
Puschel“Is that the little red deer from earlier?” Puschel asks. Flauschi“No, a roe deer is a different deer species,” Flauschi says. They stay quiet so mother and young can pass.
Real animal facts
Four things to know
Delicate shape
Roe deer are smaller and more slender than red deer and also live at woodland edges.
Spotted fawn
Young roe deer fawns have pale spots that help them hide in grass.
Doe without antlers
Female roe deer have no antlers; only the bucks grow them.
Quick to shelter
If disturbed, roe deer often leap into dense cover.
Mini quiz
What do you remember?
1. What does a young fawn often have?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)It has dark lengthwise stripes
- b)It has plain grey fur
- c)Pale spots
Show answer
Correct answer: c): Pale spots Pale spots
2. Who has antlers among roe deer?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)The buck
- b)The doe
- c)All fawns
Show answer
Correct answer: a): The buck The buck
3. What should we do near a fawn?
Choose one answer: a), b) or c).
- a)Leave it in peace
- b)Touch it
- c)Take it home
Show answer
Correct answer: a): Leave it in peace Leave it in peace
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Understand step by step
How it works – simply explained
A separate species
Roe deer are smaller and slimmer than red deer, not their children. Both have their own young and adults.
Camouflage helps fawns
Early pale spots reduce visibility in grass. A fawn lying alone is not automatically abandoned.
Features vary
A female doe lacks antlers; males may carry them. Keep away and never take a young animal home.
References for this explanation: [1], [2]
Additional specialist reference: Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung: Reh