Examples of animals that look like deer include Barasingha, Bharal, Blackbuck, Chinkara and Chitral.
Around the world there are animals that look strikingly similar to deer.
These animals, which may be called deer mimics, usually have characteristics similar to those of the white-tailed deer.
Fascinatingly, animals have evolved into many family groups, not just the deer family (Cervidae), to have four legs and graze on food.
Everywhere from Africa to Australia to Europe there are animals that resemble deer.
In this blog post, we will explore the different animal species that resemble deer.
Examples of animals that look like deer
Examples of animals that look like deer
Scientific nameRucervus duvauceliiAnimal typeMammalRangeNorth and central India
Barasingha is a species of deer found in central and southern India.
They are also known as swamp deer due to their preference for swampy habitats.
These animals have a reddish-brown coat and can grow to about 3.6 feet tall at the shoulder.
Males of this species tend to be larger than females and have horns that can reach up to 3 feet in width.
Barasinghas are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of grasses and aquatic plants.
Bharal, also known as Himalayan blue sheep, is native to the Himalayan region.
Bharal is a herbivore that feeds on grass and shrubs.
The bharal is also known for its horns, which can grow up to 30 inches long.
Scientific name Antilope cervicapra Type of animal Mammal range India, Pakistan and Nepal
Also known as the Indian antelope, the blackbuck is a species native to the Indian subcontinent.
The blackbuck is a medium-sized antelope and it has a coat that is typically black or dark brown in color.
Males of this species have long, spiral-shaped horns that they use to attract mates and assert their dominance.
Blackbuck is an endangered species and it is estimated that there are only about 4,000 of them left in the wild.
Scientific nameGazella bennettiiAnimal typeMammalRangePakistan
Chinkara, also known as the Indian gazelle, is a species of antelope found in parts of the Indian subcontinent.
The Chinkara is a relatively small antelope, standing about 60–80 cm (24–31 in) at the shoulder.
They are reddish brown in color and have white spots on their sides.
Chinkara is a herbivore that feeds on leaves and grass.
Scientific Name Capra falconeri Animal Type Mammal Range Northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan
Chital or Cheetal (Axis Deer), also known as Spotted Deer or Axis Deer, is a deer that usually lives in forested areas of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Pakistan.
Chital is the most common deer species in Indian forests.
It is a speckled brown and white creature with horns and a tuft of black hair on its forehead.
The diet of chital consists of grass, leaves, fruits and flowers.
Scientific nameCervus canadensisAnimal typeMammalRangewestern North America
The elk, also known as the wapiti, is a large ungulate that is closely related to the red deer.
These animals are found in North America and Europe.
Elk are the second largest members of the deer family, second only to moose.
Male moose can weigh up to 700 kilograms (1,500 pounds) and stand at a height of 2.1 meters (7 feet).
Females are smaller, weighing up to 400 kilograms (880 lb) and standing 1.8 meters (6 ft) tall.
The elk has reddish-brown fur that darkens in winter.
Their horns can grow up to 2.1 meters (7 ft) long.
Related article: Do moose have horns?
Scientific nameGazellaAnimal typeMammalRangeAfrica
Gazelles are an antelope family characterized by their slender and elegant physique.
They are found in Africa, Asia and Europe.
Gazelles are known for their graceful movements and can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.
Thomson’s gazelle, found in Africa, is the smallest member of the gazelle family.
The Grants gazelle, on the other hand, is the largest species of gazelle.
Gazelles are mostly herbivores and feed on grass and leaves.
Thomson’s gazelles are known to be particularly adaptable and can live in a variety of habitats including woodlands, steppes and even deserts.
Related Article: 43 Animals Like Gazelles
Scientific NameOryx gazella Animal Type Mammal Range Southern Africa
The gemsbok is a member of the antelope family and is native to Africa.
It is a large animal, with males reaching up to 1.8 m long and females up to 1.6 m.
The gemsbok has a long neck, thin legs and a small head.
Its most distinctive feature is its horns, which are present in both sexes and can grow up to 60 cm long.
The gemsbok is a herbivore and feeds on grass, shrubs and other plants.
Scientific nameHippotragus nigerAnimal typeMammal rangeAngola
The giant sable (Hippotragus niger) is a large antelope found in Angola.
It is the largest member of the genus Hippotragus and can weigh up to 500 kg (1,100 lb).
The giant sable has a reddish-brown coat with white markings on the face, neck and legs.
It is a herbivore that feeds on grass and leaves.
Scientific name Tragelaphus strepsiceros Animal type Mammal Range Southern Africa
The greater kudu is a large antelope found in Africa.
Adults can weigh up to 700 pounds and stand up to six feet tall at the shoulder.
Greater kudus have light brown fur with white stripes running down the sides.
Their horns are spiral-shaped and can grow up to three feet long.
Scientific nameOvis vigneiType of animalMammal rangeIndus and Shayok valleys of Ladakh
Ladakh urial, also known as shapo, is a type of wild sheep found in the mountainous regions of Central Asia.
The Ladakh urial has a number of physical characteristics that make it look like a deer.
For example, this animal has long and narrow legs, as well as horns similar to a deer.
The Ladakh Urial is also known for its light brown fur, which helps it blend in with its surroundings.
Interestingly, the Ladakh urial is a relatively rare animal.
In fact, it is estimated that there are only about 3,000 of these animals in the world.
As a result, the Ladakh urial is considered an endangered species.
Scientific nameAlces alcesAnimal typeMammal rangeNorth America, Europe and Russia
The moose is a member of the deer family and is the largest member of that family.
Moose are found in North America, Europe and Asia.
The moose have long legs and a large body.
They also have horns that can be up to six feet wide.
Scientific NameMuntiacus Type of Animal Mammal Range India, Southeast Asia and Southern China
Muntjac, also known as the barking deer, is a small deer found in the forests of South and Southeast Asia.
These animals get their name from their distinctive call, which sounds like a dog barking.
Muntjac is the size of a large dog and has short horns.
Their fur is reddish brown in color and they have a white stripe running down their back.
Scientific name Boselaphus tragocamelus Animal type Mammal Range South India
The largest Asian antelope, the nilgai, is found in central and southern India.
Males of this species can grow up to 3.6 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 550 pounds.
Nilgai is a brownish gray color with white markings on the face, belly and legs.
These animals are herbivores and feed mainly on grass.
Scientific NameTragelaphus angasii Animal Type Mammal Range Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and eastern South Africa
The Nyalan is a South African antelope that is often mistaken for a deer.
It has spiral horns and a reddish-brown fur with white stripes running down the sides.
The male Nyala also has long hair on its neck and chest, distinguishing it from the female of the species.
This animal can reach a length of over six feet and a weight of up to 400 pounds.
Scientific namePuduType of animalMammalExtent temperate rainforests in South America
Pudu is a South American deer that is the world’s smallest deer species.
Adults generally only grow to be about 12-16 inches tall and 20-24 inches long.
They have reddish-brown fur and small horns.
Scientific name Mazama nana Animal type Mammal Range southern Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay
The pygmy deer is a small deer-like mammal found in the rainforests of Central and South America.
This animal has reddish-brown fur and a white belly.
However, this animal is an important part of the rainforest ecosystem.
red deer
red deer
Scientific NameCervus elaphus Animal Type Mammal Range Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Anatolia, Iran and parts of western Asia
The red deer is a species of deer native to Europe, Asia and North Africa.
It is the largest species of deer in the world, with males weighing up to 350 kg (770 lb).
The red deer has a reddish-brown coat and antlers that can be up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long.
The red deer is a herbivore and feeds on leaves, grass and fruit.
Scientific nameRangifer tarandusAnimal typeMammalRange the arctic tundra
Reindeer is perhaps the most famous deer mimic.
These animals are found in the arctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America.
Reindeer have a number of physical characteristics that make them similar to deer.
For example, they have long legs and horns that resemble the shape of deer.
Additionally, their fur is often white or gray, which can give them a deer-like appearance.
Scientific nameHippotragus equinusAnimal typeMammal Range West and Central Africa
Roan antelope is a species of antelope found in parts of Africa.
This animal has a reddish-brown fur with white spots.
The roan antelope also has long, spiral-shaped horns that can grow up to four feet long.
Related Article: 15 Animals Like Antelopes
Scientific nameRusa unicolor Type of animal Mammal range South Asia
The sambar is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent.
It is the largest member of the deer family in India and Sri Lanka.
The sambar can grow up to 6 feet tall at the shoulder and can weigh up to 500 pounds.
The coat of the sambar is brown or reddish brown in color and is covered with white spots.
The sambar’s horns are large and curved.
Scientific Name Budorcas taxicolor Animal Type Mammal Range Central and South Asia
The takin is a species of ungulate mammal native to the mountainous regions of central and southern Asia.
The takin is often described as looking like a cross between a goat and an antelope.
They have a thick, shaggy coat that is usually brown or reddish-brown in color.
Their horns are long and curved, and they have a large head with a thick build.
Male takins can weigh up to 660 pounds, while females typically weigh between 440 and 550 pounds.
Scientific Name Pantholops hodgsonii Animal Type Mammal Range the Tibetan Plateau
The Tibetan antelope, also known as the chiru, is native to the Tibetan Plateau.
The animal is well adapted to its high altitude habitat and can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
Chirun has long, slender legs and a reddish-brown coat.
The males of the species grow large horns which they use to attract mates.
Scientific nameProcapra picticaudata Type of animalMammal range Qinghai, Tibet and the adjacent Gansu
The Tibetan gazelle is a small antelope found in the Himalayan region of Tibet.
It has a reddish-brown fur with white markings on the face, belly and legs.
The Tibetan gazelle is an agile creature that can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
Vietnamese mouse deer
Vietnamese mouse deer
Scientific NameTragulus versicolor Animal TypeMammal RangeVietnam
The Vietnamese mouse deer is a small, mouse-like creature found in the forests of Vietnam.
These animals are nocturnal and shy, so they are not often seen by humans.
They have a reddish-brown coat and white spots on their backs.
Vietnamese mouse deer are the smallest ungulates in the world.
The animals in this article all share a common characteristic – they look like deer.
These creatures can be found living in various habitats around the world, from dense forests to barren deserts.
Living in South Africa, I have had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close.