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Red deer (Cervus elaphus),
known as Wapiti or Elk in North America, are the second largest
deer (cervid) in the world, second only to moose (which, confusingly,
are called elk in Europe; see Elk). Wapiti is the Shawnee name
for this animal meaning 'white rump'. Wapiti are a subspecies
of the European red deer. Wapiti weigh 230 to 450 kg and stand
0.75-1.5 m high at the shoulder. Their antlers usually measure
1 -1.5 m across tip to tip. Males often weigh twice as much as
females. Wapiti are known for their loud bugling during the rut.
In Europe the Red Deer is on average smaller than the Wapiti however
they are Britain's largest native land mammal, and can reach 1.5m
at the shoulder.
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For centuries,
the wild deer of Britain were reserved exclusively for royalty
to hunt. William I of England introduced the death penalty for
killing a deer, and a sentence of maiming for attempting to kill
a deer. These harsh penalties were abolished during the reign
of Henry III, although deer were still preserved by law for the
sport of the monarch until the nineteenth century.
Adult Red Deer usually stay in single-sex groups for most of the
year, coming together to mate during October. During the mating
ritual, called the rut, mature stags compete for the attentions
of the hinds and will then try to defend hinds that they attract.
Rival stags challenge opponents by bellowing and walking in parallel.
If neither stag backs down a clash of antlers can occur, and stags
sometime sustain serious injuries.
Above Images
Come From The US Fish & Wildlife Service
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