Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are widespread in Eurasia: from Spain to the Pacific coast, Norway to Italy, Asia Minor to Iran (although absent from Ireland, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily). The population east of western Siberia is sometimes considered a separate species, Capreolus pygargus. Roe deer are medium-sized: 60-80cm high at the shoulder and weighing between 27kg for females and 50kg for males. They have a relatively short body and long legs with no obvious tail. The black nose, 'moustache stripe' and white chin are distinctive. In summer the back is reddish-brown, the chest pale and the rump patch an almost white inverted heart shape. The males, or bucks, grow sets of upright antlers up to 30cm long with four to six spikes on each side.
Roe deer feed early in the morning or at dusk, eating leaves, buds and shoots of decicuous trees and shrubs, small non-grass plants, fruits and seeds as well as brambles, heather and blueberry. Given the chance they will devastate rose beds, vegetable gardens and even low-hanging baskets.
