Eld’s deer is known for the impressive bow or lyre-shaped antlers of the stags, which sweep back in a single, long curve, with a smaller branch growing towards the front of the head. The antlers are replaced every year, and reach their largest size during the breeding season. This majestic species possesses the usual elegant stature of Cervus deer with its long, thin legs, slender body, short tail and large ears. The coarse coat is reddish-brown to grey, with paler underparts, redder in summer, and darker brown in winter. Stags are larger and heavier than females, tend to be darker in colour, and possess a thick mane of long hair around the neck. Young Eld’s deer have white spots that eventually fade and disappear. |
