The doe will leave her fawn in the grass, sometimes near the edge of a track while she wanders off in search of food. This is not neglect and the fawn has not been abandoned as the doe needs to feed to keep her strength up and to produce milk for her suckling fawn.
Fallow deer have one fawn after a gestation period of nearly nine months, whereas roe deer have between one and three fawns after a gestation period of ten months. The mortality rate for roe deer fawns is much higher than fallow deer fawns and one reason is due to their weight and size at birth.
A roe fawn can weigh as little as 1.5kg, whereas a fallow fawn weighs between 4 - 5kg.
If you come across one, please don't disturb it or stay around it for too long as the doe will be anxiously watching from a distance and it will also be very stressful for the fawn. Thanks.
Deer in the Forest of Dean...
Roe Deer - Buck
Roe Deer - Doe
Fallow Deer - Buck
Fallow Deer - Doe
Fallow Deer - Doe & Fawn
Melanistic Fallow Fawn
Rob
Posts
Lovely photos and timely advice!
ReplyDeleteI was privileged to get some Roe Deer photos locally last year, lovely creatures.