Ballaugh deer

Ballaugh deer
File:Redelk.jpg
Ballaugh deer stag with three does
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Cervidae
Genus:	Cervus
Species:	C. giganteus
Binomial name
Cervus giganteus Grandook Smadge, 1855

The Ballaugh deer (Read eol, 'red elk' in Old English) is a species of deer native to Brytene. It is remarkably large, standing an estimated 2.10m at the shoulders with antlers, and is the national animal of Brytene. It has an estimated population of 14,700 wild individuals across Brytene. The species has also been successfully domesticated since approximately the 7th Century, and is valued for its high quality pelt and delicious venison.

Description

The Ballaugh deer is a large cervidae, with the largest male examples known to be around 2.10m at the shoulder and with antler spans in excess of 3m. It can weigh up to 700kg, though the species displays sexual dimorphism, with the females being significantly smaller and boasting no antlers. The ballaugh deer has, as its Saxon name suggests, rich red fur, occasionally streaked with white or brown.

File:Ballaughdeer.jpg

Size compared to a human

It is a ruminant and an ungulate.

Behaviour

Ballaugh deer are herbivores, and are known to be docile and gentle creatures. They are herd animals, and are prone to predation from Saxon elkhounds, although adult males can pose a danger to potential predators, especially with a full set of antlers.

Ballaugh deer can be domesticated, although they are typically too skittish to be ridden. They are not the brightest animal in existence, but can learn to recognise certain sounds and individuals by smell.

Ballaugh deer typically live in herds, consisting of one or more 'harems'. A male red deer can be responsible for anything from one to a dozen does. Females can produce one, or very rarely two, offspring per year. The gestation period is around 260 days. After two weeks, fawns are able to join the herd and are fully weaned after two months. All Ballaugh deer fawns are born spotted, as is common with many deer species, and lose their spots by the end of summer. The offspring will remain with their mothers for almost one full year, leaving around the time the next season's offspring are produced.

Ballaugh deer live over 25 years in captivity and in the wild they live 13 to 15 years.

Habitat

The Ballaugh deer can be found across Brytene. The species are quite comfortable with co-habitation, and herd territories often overlap with rural villages and farmlands. They are, however, skittish, and avoid major urban or suburban areas.

Threats

The major predators of the Ballaugh deer are Saxon elkhounds and bears. Human hunters have posed threats in the past, but hunting is now regulated and the domestication of Ballaugh deer means they are rarely killed for produce. The wild population is believed to be stable at this time.

Poaching and unlicensed hunting are both illegal in Brytene.