Red Deer

We have 4 deer in Polar Park. The ram is born in 2007 in Sørreisa and is called Oscar. The female’s name is Olga and together they have two calves, Olivia and Oda born in 2017 and 2018.

  • Scientific Name: Cervus elaphus
  • Distribution: Deer is found in many parts of Eurasia and North America . The species is in no way threatened , although there may be local populations who are under pressure and are losing habitat.
  • Appearance : Norwegian deer are generally smaller than other deer. It is characterized by the dark hair stripe that runs from the neck along the back of the animal. The hair stripe is evident in both the reddish-brown summer coat , as the more gray-brown winter coat.
  • Length : 160 cm to 230 cm , shoulder height 105-120 cm
  • Weight : Stags 180 to 240 kg , females 130 to 150 kg
  • Biology : The deer are sexually mature after 1.5 years. The size of the antlers play an important role prior to the red deer reproduction . During the rutting season in autumn males compete against each other to acquire a harem of hinds , which they then mate with . The dominant male prevents the other deer to mate on the area of in his harem . The female is pregnant about eight months , when she normally give birth to one calf. Birth takes place preferably in May. The calf is nursed about .seven months. The calf will follow the mother for about a year , until she gives birth to a new calf.
  • Diet: Deer are herbivores and have powerful jaws that help to crush food . In winter, the deer tend to eat the buds and twigs of tree trunks . Elm and birch they like best. The velvet, the soft skin of antlers, is being scraped off in the fall and often eaten . In mineral- poor areas it also happens that the deer gnawing in her own antlers after it is cut. Age: Can be up to 20 years. Velvet covers a growing antler and provides it with blood, supplying oxygen and nutrients.