Red deer

• Its reddish-brown fur that changes color with the seasons.
  In summer, it is bright and shiny, while in winter, it is dull and grayish.

• Its impressive antlers that grow on the males every year.
  The antlers are branched and can have up to 16 points.
  They are used for fighting and attracting females during the mating season.
  The antlers are shed in late winter and grow back larger and more complex each year.

• Its wide distribution and adaptability.
  The red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Anatolia, Iran, and parts of western Asia.
  It also lives in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, being the only living species of deer to inhabit Africa.
  Red deer have been introduced to other areas, such as New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, and the United States, where they are called elk or wapiti.

• Its social behavior and vocalizations.
  The red deer lives in groups of varying size and composition, depending on the season and habitat.
  In summer, the groups are mixed and include females, young, and some males.
  In winter, the groups are segregated by sex, with females forming large herds and males forming smaller bachelor groups.
  During the rut, or mating season, the males compete for females by roaring, bellowing, and clashing their antlers.
  The roar of the red deer is loud and distinctive, and can be heard from several kilometers away.

• Its importance as a game and food source.
  The red deer has long been hunted for both sport and food by humans.
  The meat of the red deer, called venison, is lean and nutritious, and is used in various dishes and cuisines.
  The antlers, skin, bones, and organs of the red deer are also used for various purposes, such as making tools, ornaments, medicine, and glue.
  The red deer is a symbol of culture and heritage in many countries, and is featured in art, literature, folklore, and mythology.

• Scotland, especially the Highlands and islands

• England, in the Lake District, Exmoor, the New Forest, and Thetford Forest

• Northern Africa, in the Atlas Mountains

• Western Asia, in Iran, and the Caucasus Region

• Corsica and Sardinia, where a smaller subspecies is found

The red deer is a large and majestic animal that lives in forests and grasslands.
It has a reddish-brown coat that changes with the seasons, and a long tail with a pale rump patch.
The male red deer has impressive antlers that grow and shed every year.

The red deer roams the land with grace
Its coat a fiery blaze of red
It seeks the shelter of the trees
And rests among the ferns and moss

The red deer hears the call of mates
Its antlers rise like mighty spears
It joins the herd in rutting games
And fights for honour and for love

The red deer feels the chill of winter
Its coat a darker shade of brown
It braves the snow and ice and wind
And waits for spring to come again