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Red deer

( Cervus elaphus )

The red deer is Denmark’s largest land mammal. The stags can weigh up to 200 kg and look impressive with their large antlers. The females, also called hinds, are not as big as the stags. In summer, the red deer’s fur is red with a yellowish tail. In winter, the fur is grayish brown. Hinds, calves and young animals live in herds called ruts. The herd is led by an older hind, who decides where to graze, rest, etc.

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Hear the Red deer

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Weight

100-250 kg

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Habitat

Forest and grasslands

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Diet

Herbivore

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Offspring

1-2 calves

Get to know Red deer

Classification: Mammals

Order: Even-toed ungulates

Family: Deer (Cervidae)

Distribution: Most of Europe

Habitat: Forests and grasslands

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Body length: 200 cm + 15 cm tail

Shoulder height: 110-130 cm

Weight: Male (Red Deer): 200-250 kg; Female (Doe): 100-130 kg.

Sexual maturity: 1.5 years

Mating season: September and October

Gestation: 234 days

Number of offspring: 1-2 calves, usually 1 each year

Diet: Herbivorous; grass, trees, bushes and field crops

Designations:

Male red deer: Red deer or stag
Female red deer: Doe or hind
The offspring of red deer: Calves

Habitat

Red deer prefer large, continuous natural areas where forests alternate with open landscapes. In Denmark, they thrive particularly well in light, open woodlands with rich ground vegetation, heathlands, wetlands, and low-lying meadows. Forests provide shelter and cover—especially for calves and during the daytime—while open areas are used for grazing, typically in the early morning and evening hours.

Red deer are sensitive to human disturbance and therefore tend to choose areas with low traffic and limited access. In cultivated landscapes with high human activity, they become more nocturnal and stay deeper within the forest during the day. Although they are a flexible species, they require access to food, cover, and undisturbed surroundings to thrive.

Outside the rutting season, red deer typically form gender-segregated groups. Females and calves live in herds led by an older hind, while stags are often solitary or form small bachelor groups. In September and October, the deer gather on rutting grounds, where stags compete for access to a harem of hinds through roaring and physical contests.

Distribution

The red deer is widely distributed across Europe and Asia and is one of the most widespread deer species in the world. Its native range extends from the British Isles and Scandinavia in the west to the Caucasus, Mongolia, and northern China in the east. The species has also been introduced to countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and North America.

In Denmark, the red deer is a native species and was once widespread throughout the country. However, centuries of intensive hunting and land use changes led to a significant decline in population. Today, red deer live freely in several parts of Denmark, including western Jutland, northern Zealand, and southern Zealand, and the population is increasing.

In many areas, red deer have established new populations through natural dispersal, and the species is now considered a stable part of Danish wildlife. The population is regulated through hunting, and authorities continuously monitor density and distribution.

Djursland

On Djursland, the red deer (Cervus elaphus) has established a stable population since the 1990s. The numbers have steadily increased, and today the species can be found in several areas, including Glatved Forest, Søbyvad, and the southern part of Mols Bjerge National Park. These varied landscapes of forest, clearings, and agricultural fields provide excellent conditions for both foraging and cover.

The best chances of spotting red deer are in the early morning or around dusk, particularly along forest edges and in open fields.

Local game management and regulated hunting are in place to keep the population in balance with the environment. Today, red deer are a prominent part of the Djursland landscape—both as a majestic presence in nature and as an important component of local biodiversity.

Distribution

The red deer is widely distributed across Europe and Asia and is one of the most widespread deer species in the world. Its native range extends from the British Isles and Scandinavia in the west to the Caucasus, Mongolia, and northern China in the east. The species has also been introduced to countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and North America.

In Denmark, the red deer is a native species and was once widespread throughout the country. However, centuries of intensive hunting and land use changes led to a significant decline in population. Today, red deer live freely in several parts of Denmark, including western Jutland, northern Zealand, and southern Zealand, and the population is increasing.

In many areas, red deer have established new populations through natural dispersal, and the species is now considered a stable part of Danish wildlife. The population is regulated through hunting, and authorities continuously monitor density and distribution.

Djursland

On Djursland, the red deer (Cervus elaphus) has established a stable population since the 1990s. The numbers have steadily increased, and today the species can be found in several areas, including Glatved Forest, Søbyvad, and the southern part of Mols Bjerge National Park. These varied landscapes of forest, clearings, and agricultural fields provide excellent conditions for both foraging and cover.

The best chances of spotting red deer are in the early morning or around dusk, particularly along forest edges and in open fields.

Local game management and regulated hunting are in place to keep the population in balance with the environment. Today, red deer are a prominent part of the Djursland landscape—both as a majestic presence in nature and as an important component of local biodiversity.

The residents

Information will soon be available.

Verdenskort