Dama dama. Origin: Mediterranean. 2 sub-species. Attractive. Small, lanky & thin - average doe live weights range from 40-45 kg, 76 cm at shoulders; average buck from 90-130 kg, 90 cm. Mature bucks seldom exceed 90 cm high at shoulders. Longer tail. Large, complex,  web-like horns. 3 colour phases - most common black, brown & spotted menil & white. White undersides & white spots on sides & back. Wary, extremely timid & alert. Extremely agile & can jump higher. Broad, palmate antlers. Most widely kept of all deer species. Easily managed with appropriate stock skills & handling facilities. Suited to broad range of environments but less adapted to humidity of tropics.  Sexual maturity 2 years. Gestation period 226-230 days. Major product venison.

Cervus timorensis. Tropical species. Origin: New Caledonia. 2 main sub-species, Javan & Moluccan. Closely related to sambar, but smaller. Medium size - average hind live weights range from 50-90 kg, 90 cm at shoulders ; average stag from 100-140 kg, 110 cm. Generally reddish brown to dark brown. Body hair coarse & notably sparse by comparison with other deers. Antlers typically three tined with beams forming a characteristic lyre shape. Generally easy to handle with confident, regular handling. Non-seasonal breeders. Major product venison.

Cervus Unicolor. Stags stand at about 127 cm at shoulders, weighs 225 kg; hinds 115 cm, 150 kg.  Coat colour normally brown but individuals of grey to almost black also seen. Antlers typically three tined. Extremely cunning.

Scientific name: Odocoileus Virginianus. (most plentiful game animal). Many sub-species. Small to medium-sized. Weight of males 68-180 kg; females 41-96 kg. Height 27-45". Smallest sub-species is the Key deer, standing 30" or less at shoulders & weighs less than 23 kg. Tan or bright reddish brown; belly, throat, nose band & eye ring white. Beautiful tail that gives its name is 6-13" with the underside white. Have forwardly curved antlers bearing number of un-branched tines, measure approximately 90 cm in width & very durable. Valuable in making various objects such as knife handles. Sexual maturity 1.5 years. Gestation period 195-205 days. Young doe bred for first time usually has one fawn after gestation of 6.5 months, thereafter twins & occasionally triplets. Drives off her young before giving birth to another. Fawns are spotted - coats speckled white; blend well with most surroundings, but lose this camouflage after 9 months.

Cervus axis axis. Tropical species. Native to India. Spotted deer. Small & one of the most beautiful. Most suitable for display on farms or parks, but need specialized yard facilities because of flighty temperament. Stag attains height of about 86 cm & weight 80 kg; Hinds 75 cm & 50 kg. Colour varies from light to dark brown with permanent white spots appearing as broken lines running along body. A dark, dorsal stripe runs along the spine. Prominent white throat, white inner legs, stomach & under tail. Three tined antlers on a long, upright beam - 22-27" usually but can be from 30-36". Gestation period between 210-255 days. No seasonal breeding cycle.

Orginates from Northern India. Gets its name from Hindi language meaning 12 horns. Antlers can grow to 40" in length & usually have 12 tines, sometimes up to 15. Coat generally dark brown in stags, hinds exhibit an orangish tinge. Darker dorsal stripe along back. Underside generally white. Build generally similar to Sika, although significantly larger. Can grow to length of 6', stand 50" high at shoulders & weigh between 370-620 lbs.

Scientific name: Odocoileus hemionus sikensis. Cervus Nippon. Small (adult stag weight 45-90 kg) but aggressive.  Alert & elusive. Smaller, stockier & shorter face than other black-tailed groups. Reddish brown colour, with or without mottled spots. Antlers are dark brown with typical black-tailed branching & relatively short - average 11-19" in length, approximately 60 cm wide. Sexual maturity 1.5-2.5 years. Gestation period 222-245 days.

Scientific name: Odocoileus hemionus. Difficult to farm. Game animal; prized for its flesh, hide & antlers. Biggest of the Odocoileus genus. Weight ranges from 45-150 kg in males & 43-75 kg in females. Body length from 126-168 cm in males & 125-156 cm in females. Shoulder height from 840106 cm in males & 80-100 cm in females. Large mule-like ears from which it gets its name. Yellowish to reddish brown colour. Long, rope-like tail white with black tip. Rump patch white or yellow, throat white. Possess a dark V-shaped mark, extending from between eyes upward & laterally. Antlers forwardly curved, fork at main beams with each resulting tine forking again.