Animale
Red deer
One of the zoo’s earliest residents, associated with a birch grove and the autumn rut.
Lingua dei contenuti
The red deer was among the first species at the Zwierzyniec zoo. At Akcent ZOO it occupies a large enclosure with shelters and feeding racks. A birch grove was planted in the centre, giving the animals places to rest and escape the sun. It shows how trees can form part of an animal's shelter.
A male red deer is called a stag and a female a hind. Males carry antlers, shedding them every year and growing a new set. Antlers are therefore not permanent fixtures on the head: their appearance changes with the animal's yearly cycle.
The autumn mating season is the rut, called rykowisko in Polish. A stag's roar carries a long way and helps deter rivals. If a display of strength is not enough, males may clash antlers.
Deer browse young shoots and bark, affecting the growth of forest vegetation. They also provide food for predators, including wolves. A herbivore is therefore an active part of the forest, changing the plants on which it feeds.
Per bambini
Red deer lived at the Zwierzyniec zoo from its early days. At today's Akcent ZOO, a birch grove grows in their enclosure. Trees provide shade and resting places, while shelters and feeding racks are other features of their home.
A female red deer is called a hind and a male a stag. It is the male that carries antlers, shedding them each year. A new set then grows. He does not keep the same antlers throughout his life, so the shape of his head also depends on the season.
In autumn, wild deer enter the rut, called rykowisko in Polish. Males roar to warn rivals and sometimes fight with their antlers. Deer eat young shoots and bark, among other foods. Their nibbling affects how the forest grows. They can themselves become food for wolves. Animals and trees have more connections than a quick glance reveals.
Domanda 1 di 2
What happens to a red deer’s antlers each year?
- Posizione
- Enclosure no. 6