Fallow

The fallow deer (Dama dama) is a graceful and adaptable species known for its distinctive coats and wide distribution. Their coats can vary greatly in color, ranging from reddish-brown with white spots in summer to a darker, solid brown or even almost black in winter. Some individuals, known as menil, retain a spotted coat year-round, while others may be entirely white. Fallow deer are easily recognizable by their unique, palmate antlers, which resemble the shape of a hand with fingers spread. Native to the Mediterranean region, they have been widely introduced to various parts of Europe, North America, and even parts of Australia and South America. They thrive in diverse environments, from deciduous and mixed woodlands to open parklands and grasslands. They prefer areas with a combination of woodland cover for shelter and open spaces for grazing. Fallow deer are also known to adapt well to agricultural landscapes, making them a common sight in parks and estates.