Taxonomy
Capreolus capreolus | Roe Deer | Fia odhar
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Least Concern
Legal status
Third Schedule listed species under Regulations 49 & 50 in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. (Note: Regulation 50 not yet enacted). Listed as a schedule 9 species under Articles 15 & 15A of the Wildlife Order (Northern Ireland) 1985 (Article 15A not yet enacted).
First reported in the wild
2014
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of High Impact
Introduction pathways - 1
Release in Nature
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Hunting
Invasive score
18
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
Yes
Species Biology
Identification
Small to medium size deer, short body with long legs and neck, black nose with a white chin, tailless, white cream rump patch (Hewison & Staines,2008). Reddish coat in summer could be mistaken for that of a red deer but much smaller, antlers are short (<30cm) but more complex than in Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) and lack the prominent teeth of the Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis) (Hewison & Staines, 2008).
Ecology
Roe deer are the commonest deer species in collisions in Europe (Langbein, 2011).Difficult to quantify the ecological impacts of roe deer in Ireland. Unlikely to compete with native deer as there appears to be asymmetric competition between the two species with red deer having excluding roe deer, particularly at high red deer density (Latham & Staines, 1996;Torres et al., 2012). While it could potentially affect low growing vegetation there is no evidence to suggest the impact would be greater than that of muntjac deer.
Habitat
Woodland, forest and other wooded land; Grasslands and landscapes dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens; Regularly or recently cultivated agricultural, horticultural or domestic habitat; Heath, scrubland & tundra, Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats
Reproduction
Females monoestrous (only ovulate once per annum) with the rut usually occurring in July to August, peak birth rate May to June with most litters consisting of twins, females thought to begin breeding at 15 months (Hewison & Staines, 2008).
Pathway and vector description
Though present in Britain there is no natural means for Roe deer to enter Ireland. Likely introduced intentionally in order to create a stock for hunting.
Mechanism of impact
Grazing/Herbivory/Browsing
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Habitat description
Found in a wide variety of habitats including woodlands, forestry plantations, agricultural land and sub urban and urban woodlands and parks (Hewison & Staines, 2008).
Species group
Vertebrate
Native region
Europe, Temperate Asia
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Occasional - Localised. Currently 1 confirmed record and a few anecdotal sightings of roe deer in Ireland. Previously introduced in the 1860s-1870s but population was extirpated within 50 years (Prior, 1995).
Native distribution
Native to Europe from Britain to Turkey and Russia (Hewison & Staines, 2008).
Temporal change
Date of first record category
2011-2020
Fifty year date category
2001-2050
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
References
Publications
Hewison, A.J.M. & Staines, B.W. (2008). Genus Capreolus European roe deer Capreolus capreolus. In: Harris, S. & Yalden, D.W. (eds.) Mammals of the British Isles: Handbook. Mammal Society, Southampton.
Langbein, J. (2011). Monitoring reported deer road casualties and related accidents in England to 2010. Report to The Highways Agency. Deer Initiative Research Report 2011/3.
Latham, J., Staines, B. W., & Gorman, M. L. (1997). Correlations of red (Cervus elaphus) and roe (Capreolus capreolus) deer densities in Scottish forests with environmental variables. Journal of Zoology, 242(4), 681-704.
O'Rourke, E. & Lysaght, L. (2014) Risk assessment of Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758 – roe deer. Report prepared for Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Prior, R. (1995) The roe deer: conservation of a native species. Swan Hill Press, Shrewsbury.
Torres, R. T., Virgós, E., Santos, J., Linnell, J. D., & Fonseca, C. (2012). Habitat use by sympatric red and roe deer in a Mediterranean ecosystem. Animal Biology, 62(3), 351-366.