The Rut

The Rut is a term given to the mating season of deer but also many other ruminant mammals.

In the UK there are six species of deer in the wild. Red and Roe deer are the only true native species, although Fallow deer are now normally considered part of our natural heritage, having been introduced in the 11th Century.

Sika, Muntjac, and Chinese Water deer were all introduced to the UK within the past 150 years.

The Rut takes place in the Autumn on the Island. 

At 6am, on  a very rainy  October morning in 2013, I smelt, heard and saw ruts taking place amongst Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) and Fallow Deer (Dama dama)

RUT : From the Latin rugitus " roar"/ rugire "to roar".

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus). Cervus from the Latin cornū "horn" elaphus from the Greek eláfi "Deer"

Male Red Deers are known as stags and females of the species are called hinds.

When a stag nears rut, its testosterone levels start building up rapidly in its body. These creatures have a mating season which is limited to three month’s period (September to November).

A lot of time is spent by the stags competing over eligible females. These competitions are extremely fierce and at times fatal for the stags. When a male wins, it takes the female to a conventional rutting area.

Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Dama from the Latin for deer (?)

During rut, Bucks, make a burping sound to call and attract the Does. This burping sound is called “groaning”. The Fallow deer also “groan” to challenge other Bucks to the antler fight over a single Doe.

Antlers of a Fallow deer are flat, and palm-shaped with many points on them.

The average life span of a Fallow Deer ranges between 12years and 16years. The longest recorded life span of Fallow Deer is 25 years in captivity

The female Does, are usually 73cm to 91cm in height.

The Bucks, are usually 84cm to 94cm in height.

Bucks reach sexual maturity at the age of 14 months

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"Nature does nothing uselessly".

Aristotle