Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)
Red deer are the second largest of Australia’s wild deer species and are probably the most common Deer species to cause concern for farmers in SE Queensland
A mature stag stands about 120cm at the shoulder and weighs somewhere between 135kg and 160kg. Hinds are considerably smaller standing about 90cm and weighing about 92kg.They are called red deer because their summer coat is a rich russet-brown on their body and outer legs. The underparts of the body and neck tend towards grey. Both sexes have a distinctive straw-coloured patch on the rump or caudal area. In winter, their coats vary between dull brown and grey. Calves have white spots at birth but this coat is soon replaced and, at about six weeks of age, they are a uniform dull brown in colour.
Present Situation
At the present time, the main Australian red deer herd is well established in Queensland’s Brisbane and Mary river systems both on private property and in State forest.
Red deer are the second largest of Australia’s wild deer species and are probably the most common Deer species to cause concern for farmers in SE Queensland
A mature stag stands about 120cm at the shoulder and weighs somewhere between 135kg and 160kg. Hinds are considerably smaller standing about 90cm and weighing about 92kg.They are called red deer because their summer coat is a rich russet-brown on their body and outer legs. The underparts of the body and neck tend towards grey. Both sexes have a distinctive straw-coloured patch on the rump or caudal area. In winter, their coats vary between dull brown and grey. Calves have white spots at birth but this coat is soon replaced and, at about six weeks of age, they are a uniform dull brown in colour.
Present Situation
At the present time, the main Australian red deer herd is well established in Queensland’s Brisbane and Mary river systems both on private property and in State forest.