About
Contact
DONATE

Cervidae - Deer, Elk, Moose

There are 55 species in this family, and they are found in all parts of the world, except for Sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. The species in this family are found in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and the tundra.

SOMETHING TO CHEW ON

All of the species in this family are herbivores and ruminants. They chew their food, swallow it, regurgitate it, and then swallow it again. Their stomachs have four chambers. The first chamber is called the rumen. The rumen has bacteria in it that help break down plant matter.

BIG TO SMALL

Members of this family have long legs with two toes on each of their hoofed feet. They have long heads and short tails. In most species, the male has antlers. The species in this family range in size from the tiny Andean pudu, which is only 16 inches tall and weighs 22 pounds, to the largest member of the family, the moose, which can be 7 feet tall and weigh up to 1,600 pounds.

NORTH AMERICAN ENDANGERED SPECIES

In North America, there are two subspecies of deer on the endangered species list. The Key deer is a subspecies of the white-tailed deer. It is a small deer found only in the Florida Keys. The Columbian white-tailed deer is also a subspecies of the white-tailed deer. It is found in the Columbia River basin of Washington and Oregon.

  • Moose are found in the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They are found in New Hampshire. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Moose
    (Alces alces)
    Moose are found in the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They are found in New Hampshire. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • The chital or axis deer is native to India and Sri Lanka. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Chital
    (Axis axis)
    The chital or axis deer is native to India and Sri Lanka. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • The Calamian deer is only found on the Calamian Islands, a group of islands in the Philippines. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
    Calamian Deer
    (Axis calamianensis)
    The Calamian deer is only found on the Calamian Islands, a group of islands in the Philippines. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
  • The Bawean deer is only found on Bawean Island in Indonesia. IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
    Bawean Deer
    (Axis kuhlii)
    The Bawean deer is only found on Bawean Island in Indonesia. IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
  • The hog deer was once found from Pakistan to China. It is now found in isolated populations in its former range. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
    Hog Deer
    (Axis porcinus)
    The hog deer was once found from Pakistan to China. It is now found in isolated populations in its former range. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
  • The marsh deer is found in Peru and Brazil south through northeastern Argentina. It is the largest native deer species in South America. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Marsh Deer
    (Blastocerus dichotomus)
    The marsh deer is found in Peru and Brazil south through northeastern Argentina. It is the largest native deer species in South America. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • The European roe deer is found across much of Europe. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    European Roe Deer
    (Capreolus capreolus)
    The European roe deer is found across much of Europe. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • White-lipped deer are native to the Tibetan Plateau region of west central China. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    White-Lipped Deer
    (Cervus albirostris)
    White-lipped deer are native to the Tibetan Plateau region of west central China. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • The red deer is found across much of Europe. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Red Deer
    (Cervus elaphus)
    The red deer is found across much of Europe. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • Sika deer are native to Siberia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of Vietnam. They have been introduced around the world, including in the US. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Sika Deer
    (Cervus nippon)
    Sika deer are native to Siberia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of Vietnam. They have been introduced around the world, including in the US. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • Fallow deer are native to southern Europe, Asia and northern Africa. They have been introduced to locations around the world, including North America. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Fallow Deer
    (Dama dama)
    Fallow deer are native to southern Europe, Asia and northern Africa. They have been introduced to locations around the world, including North America. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • The Persian fallow deer is found in Iran. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
    Persian Fallow Deer
    (Dama mesopotamica)
    The Persian fallow deer is found in Iran. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
  • The tufted deer is found in northeast Myanmar and southern and central China. IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened
    Tufted Deer
    (Elaphodus cephalophus)
    The tufted deer is found in northeast Myanmar and southern and central China. IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened
  • Pere David's deer is native to China. It is now extinct in the wild. It was probably extinct in the wild around the end of the Han Dynasty (AD 220), but a herd was kept in the Imperial Hunting Park south of Beijing. IUCN Red List Status: Extinct in the Wild
    Père David's Deer
    (Elaphurus davidianus)
    Pere David's deer is native to China. It is now extinct in the wild. It was probably extinct in the wild around the end of the Han Dynasty (AD 220), but a herd was kept in the Imperial Hunting Park south of Beijing. IUCN Red List Status: Extinct in the Wild
  • The taruca is also known as the Andean deer. It is found in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Taruca
    (Hippocamelus antisensis)
    The taruca is also known as the Andean deer. It is found in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • The Chilean huemul is also known as the Patagonian huemul. It is found in Argentina and Chile. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
    Chilean Huemul
    (Hippocamelus bisulcus)
    The Chilean huemul is also known as the Patagonian huemul. It is found in Argentina and Chile. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
  • The Chinese water deer is found in the lower Yangtze Basin of east-central China and in Korea. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Chinese Water Deer
    (Hydropotes inermis)
    The Chinese water deer is found in the lower Yangtze Basin of east-central China and in Korea. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • Red brockets are found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. IUCN Red List Status: Deficient Data
    Red Brocket
    (Mazama americana)
    Red brockets are found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. IUCN Red List Status: Deficient Data
  • The gray brocket is found from southern Central America down through northern South America. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Gray Brocket
    (Mazama gouazoubira)
    The gray brocket is found from southern Central America down through northern South America. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • The Brazilian dwarf brocket is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Brazilian Dwarf Brocket
    (Mazama nana)
    The Brazilian dwarf brocket is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • The Amazonian brown brocket is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Amazonian Brown Brocket
    (Mazama nemorivaga)
    The Amazonian brown brocket is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • The Yucatan brown brocket is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Yucatan Brown Brocket
    (Mazama pandora)
    The Yucatan brown brocket is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • The Dwarf red brocket is found in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Dwarf Red Brocket
    (Mazama rufina)
    The Dwarf red brocket is found in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • The Central American red brocket is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. IUCN Red List Status: Deficient Data
    Central American Red Brocket
    (Mazama temama)
    The Central American red brocket is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. IUCN Red List Status: Deficient Data
  • Fea's muntjacs are found in Thailand and southern Myanmar. IUCN Red List Status: Deficient Data
    Fea's Muntjac
    (Muntiacus feae)
    Fea's muntjacs are found in Thailand and southern Myanmar. IUCN Red List Status: Deficient Data
  • Southern red muntjacs are found in southern and southeastern Asia, from Pakistan east through India and Nepal, across southeast Asia and southern China. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Southern Red Muntjac
    (Muntiacus muntjak)
    Southern red muntjacs are found in southern and southeastern Asia, from Pakistan east through India and Nepal, across southeast Asia and southern China. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • Reeve's muntjacs are native to southeastern China and Taiwan. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Reeves' Muntjac
    (Muntiacus reevesi)
    Reeve's muntjacs are native to southeastern China and Taiwan. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • The northern red Muntjac is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Northern Red Muntjac
    (Muntiacus vaginalis)
    The northern red Muntjac is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • Mule deer are found in the western half of the US and Canada. They live in a broad range of habitats including forests, deserts, and brushlands. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    Mule Deer
    (Odocoileus hemionus)
    Mule deer are found in the western half of the US and Canada. They live in a broad range of habitats including forests, deserts, and brushlands. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • White-tailed deer are found in most of southern Canada and all of the mainland United States except two or three states in the west. Their range reaches throughout Central America to Bolivia. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
    White-Tailed Deer
    (Odocoileus virginianus)
    White-tailed deer are found in most of southern Canada and all of the mainland United States except two or three states in the west. Their range reaches throughout Central America to Bolivia. IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
  • The pampas deer once lived throughout the natural grasslands of eastern South America. Now the distribution is restricted to local populations. IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened
    Pampas Deer
    (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)
    The pampas deer once lived throughout the natural grasslands of eastern South America. Now the distribution is restricted to local populations. IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened
  • The Northern Pudu is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Red List Status: Deficient Data
    Northern Pudu
    (Pudu mephistophiles)
    The Northern Pudu is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. IUCN Red List Status: Deficient Data
  • Pudus are the smallest deer species in the world. They are the size of a small dog. Pudus are found in the rainforests in the temperate zones of Argentina and Chile. IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened
    Southern Pudu
    (Pudu puda)
    Pudus are the smallest deer species in the world. They are the size of a small dog. Pudus are found in the rainforests in the temperate zones of Argentina and Chile. IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened
  • Caribou are also known as reindeer. They are a circumpolar species. That means they are found in regions around the North Pole. They were once found as far south as Maine. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Caribou
    (Rangifer tarandus)
    Caribou are also known as reindeer. They are a circumpolar species. That means they are found in regions around the North Pole. They were once found as far south as Maine. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • Barasingha, or swamp deer, were once distributed throughout the Indian peninsula, but today are only found in areas of central and northern India and southern Nepal. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Barasingha
    (Rucervus duvaucelii)
    Barasingha, or swamp deer, were once distributed throughout the Indian peninsula, but today are only found in areas of central and northern India and southern Nepal. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • Eld's deer are found in Cambodia, China, India, Laos, and Myanmar. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
    Eld's Deer
    (Rucervus eldii)
    Eld's deer are found in Cambodia, China, India, Laos, and Myanmar. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
  • Visayan spotted deer, also known as Philippine spotted deer, are found only on the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
    Visayan Spotted Deer
    (Rusa alfredi)
    Visayan spotted deer, also known as Philippine spotted deer, are found only on the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
  • The Philippine deer is found in the Philippines. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Philippine Deer
    (Rusa marianna)
    The Philippine deer is found in the Philippines. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • The Javan deer, also known as the Javan rusa, is found on most of the islands of Southeast Asia. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Javan Deer
    (Rusa timorensis)
    The Javan deer, also known as the Javan rusa, is found on most of the islands of Southeast Asia. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
  • Sambars are native to India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
    Sambar
    (Rusa unicolor)
    Sambars are native to India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Did You Know?

The caribou, like the other species in this family, chews its food, swallows it, regurgitates it, and then swallows it again.
The caribou, like the other species in this family, chews its food, swallows it, regurgitates it, and then swallows it again.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

Moose - Alces alcesLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaEuropeAsia
White-Tailed Deer - Odocoileus virginianusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America

Other Species Around the World

Caribou - Rangifer tarandusVulnerableEndangered in USNorth/Central AmericaEuropeAsia

Support for NatureWorks Redesign is provided by: 

Subscribe to @NHPBS

NHPBS inspires one million Granite Staters each month with engaging and trusted local and national programs on-air, online, in classrooms and in communities.

Facebook Flickr Instagram Youtube

Education

Taking Action

Shows

FCC Public File Info: WENH | WLED | WEKW | EEO Public File Report | For assistance, please email themailbox@nhpbs.org
Website by CleverLight