(Okapia johnstoni)

Okapi are related to giraffes. They are an endangered species whose primary population is in the dense tropical forests of the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. They are primarily solitary, coming together only to mate.

Males have horn-like protrusions (ossicones), whereas females do not. Their average height is just under 5 feet (1.5 m), and they weigh between 440 and 770 pounds (200 to 350 kg).

(Hydopotes spp.)

Water deer are native to Korea and China but have been imported to Britain, where they’ve spread. Reports have also found small populations in France and Russia. While superficially similar to Moschids, genetic analyses have shown they are separate taxonomically from that genera. Males have long canines (up to 3 inches or 5.5 cm), whereas does have tiny (0.2 inches or 0.5 cm) ones.

Water deer stand 18 to 22 inches (42 to 65 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 20 to 31 pounds (9 to 14 kg).

(Alces alces)

Moose are the second-largest land mammal in North America and the largest, heaviest and tallest deer on Earth. In Eurasia, they are often called “elk.” They are found across much of Canada and Alaska, parts of the northern United States, and from Finland to Russia.

Moose inhabit the circumpolar boreal forests or temperate mixed boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in cool, temperate areas and subarctic climates. 

Moose stand from just under 5 feet to almost 7 feet (1.4 to 2.1 m) tall at the shoulder. Males weigh from 840 to over 1,500 pounds (381 to >680 kg), and females 440 to 1,090 pounds (200 to 490 kg). 

(Rangifer tarandus)

Caribou (or reindeer) have a circumpolar distribution from North America, Europe and Siberia. They are found in the Arctic, tundra, subarctic, boreal, and mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

They vary greatly in size and colour, with some species more migratory than others. These animals are unique from other deer in that most females normally grow antlers, albeit much smaller than their male counterparts.

Shoulder height is from 33 to 59 inches (88 to 150 cm), and cows are lighter than males, weighing from 180 to 260 pounds (80 to 120 kg). Bulls weigh from 350 to 400 pounds (160 to 180 kg).

(Odocoileus virginianus)

White-tailed deer are native to North, Central and South America, with the highest population in Texas. They are highly adaptive to forested, savannah, sagebrush and open prairie habitats.

They are a medium-sized deer, with larger animals residing in their northern range than in their southern range.

(Odocoileus hemionus)

Native to western North America, these medium-sized deer are adaptive to different habitats, from forest to montane to open prairie.

Mule deer can be easily confused with white-tailed deer, however, the black-tipped tail and large ears are distinguishing characteristics that tell mule deer apart from their white-tailed cousins.

(Blastocerus dichotomus)

Marsh deer is the largest deer species in South America. It is native and only found in central and eastern South America, from Brazil to Argentina.

Per their namesake, their primary habitat is marshlands and wetlands. Marsh deer stand at 3.3 to 4.2 feet (100 to 130 cm) tall, and weigh an average of  175 to 275 pounds (80 to 125 kg).

(Hippocamelus spp.)

Huemuls are South American deer, comprising of two species: the Taruca or Northern Huemul (Hippocamelus antisensus), and the Huemul or South Andean Deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus). Their primary home range is in the Andes, which stretches from central Peru to northern Argentina. They prefer rocky slopes, savannahs, and grasslands of high mountain glacial lakes. 

Medium-sized but heavy, huemels average 27 to 38 inches (69 to 90 cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 150 and <200 pounds (70 to 90 kg). Huemuls (southern) are typically larger than Tarucas.

(Mazama spp.)

Brocket deer comprise 21 species in the Mazama Genera. They are found in Central and South America, on the Yucatan Peninsula, and on the island of Trinidad. While all are predominantly forest-dwelling species, a few also utilize grasslands and mountain areas.

Brocket deer are small to medium-sized with stout bodies and large ears. They stand 14 to 30 inches (35 to 80 cm) at the shoulder and weigh anywhere between 18 to 105 pounds (8 to 48 kg).

(Ozotoceros bezoarticus)

Pampas deer live in the low-elevation grasslands in South America, primarily in Brazil. They are near-threatened, with populations threatened by habitat loss of native pampas grasslands and overhunting.

These deer are medium-sized, where they range from 24 to 28 inches (60 to 70 cm) as the average height at the shoulder (males being a little taller than females), and weigh between 50 to 75 pounds (23 to 34 kg).

(Pudella spp. & Pudu pudu)

Pudus are officially the world’s smallest deer. While chevrotains are smaller, they are not true deer, unlike pudus. Two species exist, the Northern and Southern Pudus. The Southern is larger than the Northern. A recently discovered third species is the Peruvian Yungas pudu, discovered as recently as 2024.

Pudus ranges in pockets from the Andes to southern Chile and southwest Argentina. They prefer the understory of temperate rainforests, where they have the best cover from predators. Pudus are 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder (32 to 44 cm) and weigh only up to 26 pound (12 kg).

(Muntiacus spp.)

Muntjacs are known as the barking deer or rib-faced deer, comprising of 11 species that are home in South and Southeast Asia. It is believed they are an ancient deer, first appearing 15 to 31 million years ago. Most species are listed as least concern, except for the Giant Muntjac (M. vuquangensis) which is listed as critically endangered.

Muntjacs are small deer, their weights and sizes varying by species. The Truong Son Muntjac (M. truongsonensis) is one of the smallest muntjacs, weighing only 33 pounds (15 kg). The largest, per its namesake, is the Giant Muntjac, weighing between 66 to 110 pounds (30 to 50 kg).

(Dama spp.)

Fallow deer are known by two species: Common Fallow Deer (D. dama) and Persian Fallow Deer (D. mesopotamica). Both species are native to Eurasia, native range extending from Italy to Iran. Early introductions placed deer further north and east, including some pockets in North and South Americas.

Persian fallow deer are only distinguished from Common fallow deer with antlers that are less palmated. Both species are similar in size and weight. Bucks are 33 to 37 inches (85 to 95 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weigh 130 to 220 pounds (60 to 100 kg). Does are 30 to 33 inches (75 to 85 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 66 to 110 pounds (30 to 50 kg). Fallow deer have quite the colour variation, from black to fawn-coloured to almost pure white. 

(Axis axis)

Chital deer are a medium-sized deer species native to the Indian subcontinent. Their habitat is fairly variable, thriving in forests as well as savannahs, as they are both grazers and browsers. 

Stags (or bucks) are larger and only bear antlers compared with does. Males reach up to 35 inches (90 cm) and females reach up to 28 inches (70 cm) at the shoulder. Males weigh between 150 to 200 pounds (70 to 90 kg), and females weigh 90 to 130 pounds (40 to 60 kg). 

(Axis porcinus)

These are small deer native to the Indian subcontinent. The common name comes from their running behaviour where they hold their heads low as they run through forest cover, similar to how hogs run.

Hog deer are stout- and long-bodied with short legs. Males stand 28 inches (70 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 110 pounds (50 kg). Females stand 24 inches (61 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 66 pounds (30 kg).

(Rucervus duvaucelii)

An Indian subcontinent deer, with populations fragmented in northern and central India and southwestern Nepal, its name is derived from the antlers having more than three tines compared with other Indian deer. Stags may have 10 to 14 tines, with some reported as having up to 20. 

Barasinghas are large deer, with males standing 44 to 46 inches (110 to 120 cm) at the shoulder and weighing 370 to 620 pounds (170 to 280 kg). Females, lighter in colour, weigh 287 to 320 pounds (130 to 145 kg). 

(Elaphurus davidianus)

Pere David’s deer were native to the subtropical river valleys of China, but were hunted to near-extinction. Thanks to captive breeding efforts in Britain by 11th Duke of Bedford Herbrand Russel, they were re-introducted back to their homeland in the 1980s. Sadly the IUCN (International Union of the Conservation of Nature) list them as Extinct in Nature. 

These animals are moderate to large in size, standing 47 inches (120 cm) tall at the shoulder, and weighing 300 to 440 pounds (135 to 200 kg). While they are grazers, they also frequent aquatic environments.

(Rusa alfredi)

This deer is small in size and an endangered species. It historically populated much if the Phillipine Islands, but due to overhunting and habitat loss, it has been reduced to only two islands: Panay and Negros. It was once found predominantly in rainforests and neighbouring grasslands, but due to its restricted range and sighting rarities, it’s difficult to know what its current preferred habitat is.

Adults range from 28 to 31 inches (70 to 80 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh 88 to 132 pounds (40 to 60 kg). Males are larger than females and bear antlers. 

(Rusa timorensis)

Sambar deer are native to south China, southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. There are seven subspecies, each populating different parts of south and southeast Asia, including Taiwan, Borneo, and Sri Lanka. These animals inhabit tropical and subtropical forests and montane grasslands.

Sizes vary with subspecies and parts of the range, but overall these are large deer, with both stags and hinds standing at a height of 40 to 63 inches (102 to 160 cm) at the shoulder, and weighing between 220 to 770 pounds (100 to 350 kg). Some animals have been reported to weigh as much as 1,200 pounds (770 kg). Western subspecies are typically larger than eastern subspecies, and hinds are often smaller than stags.

(Rusa timorensis)

Javan rusa are large deer native to Indonesia. There are seven subspecies, most which are found on Java, Bali and Timor islands. Other ancient introductions were made on other islands, including Paupa New Guinea. These deer are rarely found in the open, preferring the protective cover of the tropical and sub-tropical forests and the cover of nightfall.

These deer are large in size, with males bigger than females. Average height at the shoulder is 56 to 73 inches (142 to 185 cm), and weight being 330 to 350 pounds (150 to 160 kg) for males, up to 163 pounds (74 kg). 

(Cervus canadensis)

Also called wapiti, elk are the second-largest deer species in the world and one of the largest terrestrial mammals endemic in North America as well as central and east Asia. There are currently 11 subspecies: six in North America, and five in Asia/East China. As grazers and browsers, elk frequent open forests, forest-edge habitats, montane areas, and open prairies.

Shoulder height ranges from 30 to 60 inches (75 to 150 cm). Weights vary from cows to bulls. Bull elk average between 390 to 1,100 pounds (180 to 500 kg), and cows range from 375 to 645 pounds (170 to 293 kg). Of the subspecies Roosevelt elk are the largest, and the smallest are the Tuli.

(Cervus elaphus)

Red Deer are endemic to Europe and parts of west and central Asia and northern Africa including the British Isles, Iran, and the Caucus mountains. Animals have also been introduced to parts of North and South Americas. They are adapted to a wide range of habitats, from forests to grasslands, mountains to lowlands.

Red deer range in size depending on location and their subspecies (of which there are 12). Corsican red deer are smallest in size, and the Caspian subspecies or those of the Carpathian Mountains are the largest and may rival elk in size. Shoulder heights range from 37 to 51 inches (95 to 130 cm), and weights from 350 to 530 pounds (160 to 240 kg). Stags are typically much larger than hinds.

(Cervus nippon)

Not to be confused with the Alaska’s Sitka Black-tailed Deer (Orocoileus hemionus sitkensis), a subspecies of Mule Deer, Sika deer are native to East Asia including Japan, the latter boasting the highest population of these cervids. There are 15 subspecies across its range.

Colour variations exist from mahogany to black with some white individuals. They are medium-sized deer, with shoulder height ranging from 20 to 45 inches (50 to 110 cm) and weights from 90 to 240 pounds (40 to 110 kg), and females from 70 to 110 pounds (30 to 50 kg). The Manchurian subspecies is the largest, while the Japanese subspecies are typically the smallest in size.

(Damaliscus lunatus)

Tsessebe or Topi comprises five subspecies in central and southern Africa: Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and South Africa. The shape of the horns is the most distinguishing factor between subspecies. They are among the fastest antelopes in Africa, running up to 90 km/h (56 mph).

Males weigh 302 pounds (137 kg) and females 264 pounds (120 kg) on average. 

(Damaliscus pygargus)

(Alcelaphus buselaphus)

(Connochaetes gnou)

(Connochaetes taurinus)

(Antilope cervicapra)

(Eudorcas albonotata)

(Gazella gazella)

(Litocranius walleri)

(Nanger granti)

(Procapra pictiaudata)

(Saiga tatarica)

(Madoqua spp.)

(Ourebia ourebi)

(Raphicerus campestris)

(Boselaphus tragocamelus)

(Bubalus arnee)

(Bubalus bubalis)

(Bubalus depressicornis)

(Bos javanicus)

(Bos gaurus)

(Bos grunniens)

(Bos mutus)

(Bos taurus)

(Bos taurus indicus)

(Bos taurus sanga)

(Syncerus caffer)

(Bison bison)

(Bison bonasus)

(Tragelaphus eurycerus)

(Tragelaphus strepsiceros)

(Tragelaphus imberbis)

(Tragelaphus angasii)

(Taurotragus oryx)

(Taurotragus derbianus)

(Capra aegagrus)

(Budorcas taxicolor)

(Capra falconeri)

(Capra cylindricornis)

(Capra hircus)

(Capra ibex)

(Capra nubiana)

(Capra sibirica)

(Hemitragus jemlahicus)

(Oreamnos americanus)

(Nilgiritragus hylocrius)

(Ovis aries)

(Ovis canadensis)

(Ovis dalli)

(Ovis gmelini)

(Pseudois nayaur)

(Rupicapra rupicapra)

(Capricornis spp.)

(Nemorhaedus spp.)

(Ovibos moschatus)

(Sylvicapra grimmia)

(Hippotragus niger)

(Oryx beisa)

(Oryx gazella)

(Addax nasomaculatus)

(Kobus kob)

(Kobus leche)

(Kobus vardonii)

(Redunca spp.)

(Palea capreolus)