A hind deer is the female of larger deer species, most notably the red deer ( Cervus elaphus). These creatures are known for their grace and resilience in diverse ecosystems. Hinds play a central role in the continuation of their species and contribute to the ecological balance of their habitats.
Identifying a Hind Deer
Hinds have distinct physical characteristics. They typically measure between 160 to 210 cm (63 to 83 inches) in body length, with a shoulder height of 95 to 130 cm (37 to 51 inches). Their weight ranges from 120 to 170 kg (260 to 370 lbs).
A hind’s coat color changes with the seasons. In summer, they display a rusty red hue, transitioning to a browner, thicker coat in winter. Unlike stags, hinds do not grow antlers. They have a short tail, a pale rump patch, and a large head with widely spaced brown eyes.
Habitat and Social Behavior
Red deer hinds inhabit diverse environments, including woodlands, conifer plantations, grasslands, meadows, river valleys, flood plains, and moorland. They are found across much of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Some populations have also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Hinds are social animals, forming matriarchal herds of related females and their offspring. These groups range from 5 to 15 individuals, led by a dominant, older female. Sexes are segregated for most of the year, but stags join the hinds as the mating season approaches. Hinds communicate through low mooing noises with their calves and bark when alarmed.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Hinds are herbivores, consuming a varied diet that shifts with seasonal availability. They primarily graze on grasses and sedges in the summer. As the seasons change, their diet expands to include woody plants and lichen.
Red deer are intermediate feeders, meaning they both browse (eating leaves and twigs from shrubs and trees) and graze (eating grasses). They also consume various fruits and seeds like acorns and chestnuts. Foraging typically occurs during the early morning and late evening, with hinds resting and ruminating during the day.
Reproduction and Calf Care
The reproductive cycle of hinds is synchronized with the seasons, ensuring calves are born when conditions are most favorable for survival. The mating season, known as the rut, occurs in autumn, from late September through November. After a gestation period of 240 to 262 days, hinds give birth to a single calf between mid-May and mid-July.
Approaching birth, hinds seek isolation from the herd, searching for a sheltered calving site, sometimes pacing fence lines. Newborn calves weigh 7-9 kg (15-20 lbs) at birth and are born with spotted coats, which provide camouflage and are lost by the end of summer. Hinds lick their newborns dry, stimulating the calf to stand and suckle within 30 minutes of birth.
Calves are dependent on their mothers for nursing for 3-4 months. Hinds teach their calves foraging skills and protect them from predators. For the first 10-15 days, calves hide in sheltered spots, associating openly with the herd after about two weeks.