
Deer are members of the Cervidae family. They are hoofed (a.k.a. ungulate) mammals categorized into two main groups Cervinae and the Capreolinae. Most deer live 2 to 3 years, although some may live to 20 in the wild.
The largest deer-like mammal, the Moose, can stand over 8 feet tall, with a weight exceeding 1,600 lbs. The smallest deer, the Northern Pudu, can grow to 14 inches and weigh about a dozen pounds. Typical deer have powerful legs that are long, with a small tail and long ears.
However, physical characteristics vary significantly. Deer are indigenous to every continent but Australia and Antarctica, and they have extraordinary night vision. A healthy deer eats all sorts of grass, nuts, vegetation, and acorns.
They are hardy eaters with an appetite that can eat up to 8 percent of their body weight! That twelve pounds of forage for a deer that weighs 150 pounds.
1. Chinkara

The Chinkara (a.k.a., the Indian Gazelle) is native to the countries of India, Afghanistan, and Iran, among others. The Chinkara, with a life expectancy of 12 years, is among the smaller deer-like creatures, standing only about 3 feet tall and with a weight of 50 pounds. These shy mammals tend to avoid humans and do well in desert locations as they need little water for long periods.
Often, morning dew drops are enough for the Chinkara.
2. Elk

The Elk is a large mammal found in North America and Central Asia’s high mountains. The average elk weighs about 850 pounds, but the body mass of Elk can be quite diverse depending on its location. The Elk lives for a dozen years in the wild.
They are social animals who stay in groups of about 400 for protection and are matriarchal in nature. They are highly adapted to cold winters that last many months. Mountainous Elk seeks lower ground in winters.
3. Bharal

The Bharal is native to the mountainous regions of the Himalayas, India, China, Myanmar, and Bhutan, among others. The Bharal looks more like a sheep and behaves like a goat. They stand about 3 feet tall at shoulder height, … Read the rest of the story.




















