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How to Identify African Deer

The red deer is the only deer species that inhabits Africa. It is also one of the largest deer species. A male red deer is called a stag and the female is called a hind. In order to identify an African deer, you will need to know not only the names of the deer, you will need to learn the characteristics that will help you identify the African deer.

Instructions

- 1
  Count the number of antlers on top of the red deer's head. A stag red deer has twelve points on his antlers when the antlers are fully grown in. Even though the antlers are made of bone, they go through a shedding process. A velvet (skin) grows over the antlers. Once the antlers have reached their full size, the velvet dies and the stag deer rubs it off and eats it.
- 2
  Examine the toes. Unlike other animals who are considered perissodactyls (having an odd number of toes) such as horses (one-toed animals) and the tapir (having three toes on the hind feet and four toes on the front), red deers are even-toed hoofed animals (artiodactyla). Red Deers also have four toes.
- 3
  Look at the red deer's coat. The red deer has a reddish-brown coat comprised of short and straight hairs that cover their entire body and face. In the winter, the hair on the coat gets longer, thicker and browner.

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