Sunday 16 September 2018

This weeks star - the Roe Deer

As you are aware the loss of the bridge has meant that I have only just been able to collect my camera and when I did I had over 2000 clips to analyse! I have finally finished ploughing through them and collating the information and I hope to be able to give you some insights in the next few posts especially regarding the presence of a Fox cub.

Today, however, I want to share with you several photos captured this week. They were taken at 11.10 am on the 11th September and show a young Roe Deer.




You can tell this is a young Roe Deer rather than a Muntjac for several reasons. Firstly the head lacks any of the correct markings, secondly, fur is of a different texture and colour. The muntjac has a more orangey colour and is smoother looking, in this case, the fur is coarser. Thirdly you can look at the ears, here the ears are more pointed and more upright whereas muntjac ears are rounder and stick out more from the side. Muntjacs are also shorter legged than this individual, lastly, there are diagnostic black spots on the rear legs.

It is also possible to tell that this is a young deer from its general appearance, the coat looks fresh but lighter than one would get in an adult, it is also possible to see faint white marks on the hin quarters when as a fawn it would have had spots. Last is the eye, juveniles generally have larger eyes in relation to their bodies, this is true for humans too. Eyes are proportionately larger at birth and it takes some time for an animal to 'grow into them'.