Deer have a number of characteristics such as strong legs that allow them to run fast or the antlers that male deer have. Sometimes other animals share these characteristics and traits, so in this article we’re going to learn about some animals like deer in various way.
12 Animals Like Deer
Deer are herbivores that have special stomachs which digest food and turns it into cud. Cud is regurgitation and is re-chewed to gain maximum nutrients. These mammals are mostly peaceful mind their own business. Sometimes they are the prey for the local apex predator, but often these vegetarians have no natural predators. These can cause overpopulation.
Here are 12 animals that are like deer in one way or another.
1. Moose
- Scientific name: Alces alces
- Why moose are like deer: Both are members of the Cervidae family. Both have hooves and antlers.
Their antlers are branched and the moose sheds them each year, just like deer do. Both moose and deer are herbivores that forage for their food.
Moose are much larger than deer. Typically, moose are 4.5 feet tall and weigh between 600 to 1500 pounds. The antlers on a moose are much larger and more ornate than the deer.
A moose has a long snout and a piece of fatty skin under their chin called a dewlap. Unless it’s mating season, moose are solitary and do not run in herds like deer do.
Unlike deer, moose may be aggressive and are known to attack. Moose’s diet consists of leaves, twigs, buds, and aquatic vegetation.
2. Elk
- Scientific name: Cercus canadensis
- Why elk are like deer: Both belong to the Cervidae family, have hooves, antlers, and are herbivores. Deer and elk are also both social and run with a herd.
Elk will grow to be between 3 and 5 feet tall and weigh about 375 to 1100 pounds. Antlers on a male elk can be up to 4 feet long.
A thick, shaggy coat helps keep them warm in the mountainous terrain they prefer. Their diet consists of grass, tree bark, twigs, and shrubs. Being able to run up to 45 miles per hour helps them out run mountain lions that prey upon them.
3. Antelope
- Scientific name: Bovidae
- Why antelope are like deer: Both are 4 legged, have hooves, and have 2 cranial structures protruding from the front of the skull. The antelope’s structures are called horns.
Horns are permanent and not branched. Both deer and antelope are herbivores that are skittish around humans. These mammals are also similar in color.
Antelopes can be found in forests, wetlands, savannas, and deserts and will grow to be 3 to 5 feet tall and weigh between 500 to 650 pounds. The antelope is usually brown, tan, or reddish in color with a white belly.
An antelope’s diet consists of grass, shoots, and seeds. Being able to run 55 miles per hour helps them escape predators like leopards, lions, hyenas, and cheetahs.
4. Bison
- Scientific name: Bison bison
- Why bison are like deer: Both deer and bison are herbivores, have hooves, run in herds, have cranial structures, and can adapt to different climates.
Adult bison can be 6 feet tall and weigh up to 2000 pounds, the calves are usually between 70 to 80 pounds when born. Bison are able to live in extreme weather, so you may see bison in grasslands during the summer and then again during a blizzard.
They enjoy mostly woody plants, they will change their diet based on what is available. Yellowstone National Park is the only place where bison have lived on a regular basis since dinosaurs roamed the earth.
5. Giraffe
- Scientific name: Girafa
- Why giraffes are like deer: Deer and giraffes are both ungulates (having hooves) and are ruminants ( able to break down food in a special stomach and turn it into cud to be rechewed. Both also have short velvety fur and are herbivores.
The giraffe is the tallest living land animal. This long-necked animal can grow to be 14 to 19 feet tall and up to 2600 pounds. Usually gray or tan, they have intricate brown to reddish spots all over their bodies.
Found in the woodlands and savannas of Africa, their long necks allow them to grab their favorite leaves, fruit, and tree buds. Giraffes are often preyed upon by lions, leopards, and hyenas.
6. Tapir
- Scientific name: Tapirus
- Why tapirs are like deer: Tapirs, like deer, are herbivores, ungulates, and have diminutive ears and tails. They also have velvety coats and are social.
Tapirs are large mammals that look like wild hogs. Native to South America and Asia, they weigh up to 550pounds and have short stubby legs.
Spending a lot of time in the water, they will submerge themselves when threatened and use their long snouts as a snorkel. These herbivores enjoy leaves and fruit.
7. Goat
- Scientific name: Capra hircus
- Why goats are like deer: Goats and deer are both ungulates, have cranial structures and chew their cud.
Goats are one of the oldest domesticated species of animal on earth. Adult goats average 2 feet tall and can weigh up to 310 pounds. Coming in a wide variety of colors, they may be any shade of brown, tan, black, white, and multicolored.
Known for their agility, goats can climb and balance in odd places. Though they prefer to eat woody shrubs and trees, this creature will eat just about anything from cardboard to clothes.
8. Zebra
- Scientific name: Equs zebra
- Why zebras are like deer: Both zebra and deer are ungulates, herbivores, and travel in herds.
Native to Africa, zebra are known for their distinctive black and white stripes. An adult zebra can be anywhere from 3.5 to 5.5 feet and weigh 600 to 900 pounds. Habitats for this animal are grasslands, savannas, woodlands, and scrublands.
Being herbivores, grass is the main part of their diet. Predators include lions, hyenas, leopards, and human hunters. The zebra is sought after for its skin and meat.
9. Rabbit
- Scientific name: Leporidae
- Why rabbits are like deer: Rabbits and deer are both herbivores and share similar habitats like forests, woods, meadows, and tundra. Rabbits are small mammals that like to burrow under the ground in their respective habitats. Adult rabbits can weigh 6 pounds and come in many shades of brown, gray, and black.
They are most active at dusk and dawn, when they go nibbling on leaves, flowers, and grasses. Rabbits will eat their feces for the same reason deer eat their cud (vomit), to gain maximum nutrients from their food.
10. Camel
- Scientific name: Camelus
- Why camels are like deer: Camels and deer are both ungulates and herbivores. Camels are working animals found in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Camels are characterized by the humps on their backs and people believe water is stored there, but it’s actually fat! Though they can go long periods of time without water, it’s stored in other parts of their body. Adults will weigh between 300 to 2200 pounds, depending on the species.
A camel’s favorite foods are anything green and leafy. They has three sets of eyelids and two rows of eyelashes help keep the desert sand out of their eyes.
11. Horse
- Scientific name: Equs fetus caballus
- Why horses are like deer: Both are hoofed, plant-eating, mammals. Horses and deer are both social and run in herds.
Adult horses can weigh anywhere from 900 to 2200 pounds, depending on the species. Color varies widely from shades of brown, black, tan, and multicolored. In the wild, they will eat mostly grass.
Their big eyes are placed in such a way that they can see 350 degrees around themselves. A horse can sleep standing up or lying down.
12. Sheep
- Scientific name: Ovis arise
- Why sheep are like deer: Both sheep and deer are ruminant mammals (eat cud) that are ungulate herbivores, and live in herds.
Sheep are raised mostly for their crimped fleece, or wool. Adults weigh between 100 and 350 pounds. Their colors may vary from white to shades of brown, and the infamous black.
Sheep are known for being very sensitive to noise, and having excellent hearing. A sheep’s diet consists of oats, hay, grass, and alfalfa.
WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature.