A deer is a graceful, hoofed mammal with long legs built for running and leaping. Male deer (called bucks or stags) of many species grow antlers, bony branches that sprout from their heads each year and fall off when the season changes. Female deer are called does, and baby deer are called fawns.

Deer live in forests, grasslands, and mountains across most of the world. They're herbivores, eating leaves, grass, bark, and acorns. Their large eyes sit on the sides of their heads so they can watch for predators while grazing. When startled, some deer can bound away in enormous leaps, and in white-tailed deer, their white tails flash as a warning to other deer.

You may have seen deer if you live near woods or parks. White-tailed deer are common across North America, while elk and moose (both types of deer) roam western mountains and northern forests. Reindeer, called caribou in North America, live in arctic regions. Many cultures have admired deer for their beauty and speed. In literature, deer often symbolize gentleness and natural grace.

The plural of deer is simply deer, not “deers.” Whether you spot one deer or a whole herd of deer grazing in a meadow, the word stays the same.