Scientific Name of Deer

Deers can be called as even-toed ungulates that belong to the order Artiodactyla and class Mammalia. Cervinae and Capreolinae are the two main groups to which the family Cervidae belongs to. 

The members of the subfamily Cervinae are also called Old World Deers. They also possess an ankle structure which differs from Capreolinae, hence, they are called plesiometacarpal deer. Eurasia is a place to which most of the members are restricted to and have adapted to a wide range of low-land environments – ranging from swamplands and grasslands to forests and floodplains. Only a couple of species are found in mountainous regions and high elevations. The subfamily Cervinae is further classified into two tribes:

• Cervini – True Deers

• Muntiacini – Muntjacs

True deers are usually larger in size and possess bigger antlers than Muntjacs. On the opposite hand, muntjacs are often seen as a primitive form, with their structure resembling the ancestral stock from which the remainder of the deer family evolved. Some Muntjacs also have “tusks” which arise from the upper canines.

The members of the subfamily Capreolinaea are also called New World Deers. They also possess an ankle structure which differs from Cervinae, hence, they are called telemetacarpal deer. Most members of this group are found in North and South America. In Eurasia, only 4 species out of the 22 of the deer can be found. This subfamily is further classified into 4 tribes, namely:

• Alceini – Mooses/ Elk

• Capreolini – Roe Deers

• Rangiferini – Caribou and reindeer

• Odocoileini – New world Deer

Facts About Deer 

1. Deer’s eyes are on the side of the head which helps them to navigate the area around them without moving their head sideways. They also have an impressive night vision which is useful during their feeding time and escape from predators. 

2. Deers possess a great sense of hearing.

3. Deers can be defined as being social as they always walk in groups.

4. The practice of both monogamy and polygamy can be seen in deers which means that they exhibit a territory which has a group of females and tend to protect them. 

5. Deers have a gestation period of 180 to 240 days.

6. Deers can be seen in different colour variations.

7. Deers are regarded as being an important part of the ecosystem.