Deer

Deer are hoofed ruminant mammals in the family Cervidae, an even-toed ungulate group that includes species such as white-tailed deer, moose, elk, and caribou.

Deer are hoofed, ruminant mammals in the family Cervidae. They are known for their antlers and are found across much of the Northern Hemisphere, including five species in Canada.

What it is

Deer belong to the order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) and the family Cervidae. They are ruminants with a four-chambered stomach, and most species have antlers that are shed and regrown annually. There are about 43 to 55 living species worldwide, ranging from the small pudú to the large moose.

Key details

Antlers are a distinctive feature—typically grown by males, though females of some species (e.g., caribou) also grow them. Deer are herbivores that feed on grasses, twigs, bark, and shoots. They inhabit diverse environments: forests, tundra, deserts, swamps, and mountain slopes.

Deer in Canada

Five deer species occur in Canada: white-tailed deer, mule deer, caribou, moose, and elk. These animals are integral to Canadian wildlife, ecology, and cultural history, featuring in Indigenous traditions, settler livelihoods, and modern hunting and conservation.