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PERSIAN FALLOW DEER Dama mesopotamica
Identification Sometimes called the Mesopotamian Fallow Deer, this
species is the second largest and rarest deer in the region. The summer
coat is overall light brown, but in winter it is darker brown and washed
with grey. The lower neck, chest and belly are much lighter in colour
and often white. The back, upper flanks and thighs have numerous
white spots, and a white lateral line is often present along each side.
The well-haired tail is predominantly white. Only stags carry antlers,
and these are shed annually in February and fully regrown by July. The
antlers are considerably shorter than those of Red Deer.
Size Shoulder height 85–110 cm.
Weight 7 0 –18 0 k g.
Habitat and Behaviour Persian Fallow Deer once occurred in a wide
range of forest and woodland types, but now only survive in dense
riverine forest and thicket. They are mainly browsers, feeding from a
number of trees (especially poplars and tamarisk), and will also graze,
and eat moss and fungi. Little is known about their behaviour, but the
hinds and young form into small herds. The stags live alone or in small