- Lifespan
- 12–16 years in the wild; up to 20 years in captivity
- Size & Weight
- Body length 170–240 cm; shoulder height 107–160 cm; males 160–240 kg, females 100–150 kg
- Habitat
- Native to woodlands, moorlands, and open grasslands; prefers mixed woodland with clearings and rough ground for grazing.
- UK Distribution
- Found throughout Scotland (most abundant), with populations in England (Lake District, New Forest, Exmoor) and Wales. Resident year-round; populations are non-migratory.
- Diet
- Herbivorous; grazes on grasses, heather, and moorland vegetation; browses on shrubs, tree leaves, and bark, particularly in winter.
- Predators
- Golden eagles (calves), wolves (historically extirpated from UK); adult red deer have no natural predators in modern UK; humans regulate populations through hunting.
- Mating Season
- September to October (the rut)
- Breeding
- Single calf born May to June after gestation of approximately 230–240 days. Hinds typically produce one calf annually from age 2 onwards.
- Behaviour
- Highly social; stags form bachelor groups outside the rut, while hinds and calves live in herds. Males are territorial during rutting season, engaging in dramatic roaring contests and antler clashes. Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal.