Antlered in the Precinct: Red Deer

The largest native wild animal is an impressive sight. Especially because of its imposing antlers. However, only the male members of the family wear these headdresses. Not for adornment, but for fierce confrontation. During the rutting season in autumn, the roaring of the mighty red deer can be heard far and wide in the Wittgenstein region. Red deer feel particularly at home in forests rich in structures with large open clearings.

The feeding behaviour dominates the daily rhythm, from the first grazing and chewing period in the early morning hours to the last meal at midnight. Feeding on grasses, herbs, shoots, buds, tree fruits and leaves, adult animals can weigh up to 200 kilograms and live for an impressive 20 years. The red deer, which got its name from the reddish-brown summer coat, is not endangered in Germany. More than 200,000 animals live in different parts of the country.