Deer, any of 43 species of hoofed ruminants in the order Artiodactyla, notable for having two large and two small hooves on each foot and also for having antlers in the males of most species and in the females of one species. Deer are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Red Deer – One of the largest deer in the world, the red deer has a huge range that includes most of Europe, Caucausas mountain range, Asia, Iran and northwestern Africa – where they are the only deer species.

Understanding the Context

Over 60 species of deer live in various habitats around the world. We've listed the major types of deer, from the friendliest species to the most elusive ones. This guide will also provide a detailed description of each species or breed, along with fun facts. A deer (pl.: deer) or true deer is a hoofed ruminant ungulate of the family Cervidae (informally the deer family).

Key Insights

Cervidae is divided into subfamilies Cervinae (which includes muntjac, elk, red deer, and fallow deer) and Capreolinae (which includes reindeer, white-tailed deer, roe deer, and moose). Deer are primarily herbivorous mammals that constitute Cervidae, the second most diverse family of artiodactyls after bovids (family Bovidae). There are 55 extant species of deer, most of which are characterized by long limbs adapted for running and jumping. Learn all about the different types of deer - with information about what they eat, where they live, how much they weigh, how long they live, are they endangered, and more. The chital (Axis axis; / tʃiːtəl /), also called spotted deer and axis deer, is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent.

Final Thoughts

It was first described by Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777.