We found this skull during a walk in the Sonian Forest. Is it a deer or a roe deer? Is there any information you can deduce from it?
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Answer
The skull you found is one of a male roe deer, a buck. Judging by the antlers and the brown color of the teeth, it was an adult deer (at least a few years old). Based on the length of the antlers, which can grow to a maximum of 25 cm, you can estimate his age when he died. For that you have to measure the antlers. The closer to the maximum height, the closer to the maximum age (average 8 to 10 years). The number of branches also says something about the age, they can have up to 5 branches in old animals (maximum 25 years)
The animal probably died in the summer or fall as its antlers appear to be fully present. Deer antlers fall off in the fall/winter to grow back by late spring. To determine the age more accurately, it is necessary to examine the teeth and antlers in detail and compare them with skulls of animals of known age.
Nice find.
Answered by
Technician Jeroen Venderickx
Biology, Nature and Environmental Education
Rue Vautier 29 1000 Brussels
http://www.naturalsciences.be
.