If you’ve driven through the main pasture at Fossil Rim, you have surely seen our plentiful herds of fallow deer. But if you look closely, you’ll notice they are often joined by the beautiful Axis deer. Because both species sport spotted coats, and share the same pasture they are easily confused — here is how you can tell them apart on your next drive.
Coat:
Fallow Deer: While both species are very similar in size and weight, the first clue to look for is their coats. The fallow deer's name stems from the pale brown color a majority of them sport; however, as you may notice, they can come in many different shades. You might see white, dark brown, or pale brown fallow deer. While they have spots like the axis deer, the fallow deer's spots are blotchier and can completely disappear during the winter months.
Fallow Deer
Axis Deer
Axis Deer: On the contrary, Axis deer have a deep golden-brown coat and sport clearly defined white spots that remain year-round. Another key, noticeable difference is a dark, 'unibrow-like' stripe running between their eyes.
Antlers:
Fallow Deer: One of the most distinctive physical differences between the two species is their antler shape. Fallow bucks have broad, flattened, palmated antlers. Fallow antlers are also seasonal; bucks will cast their antlers in spring (April-May) and regrow them through the summer. Their antlers usually span about 24 to 28 inches and are covered in velvet while growing, which bucks rub off once the antlers harden ahead of the rut.
Axis Deer
Fallow Deer
Axis Deer: Contrary to their pasture mates, Axis deer have tall, three-tined antlers with a forward brow tine and forked top. Unlike Fallow deer, their antlers are non-seasonal, meaning they can breed year-round and may have hard or velvet antlers at any given time.
Axis Deer: Contrary to their pasture mates, Axis deer have tall, three-tined antlers with a forward brow tine and forked top. Unlike Fallow deer, their antlers are non-seasonal, meaning they can breed year-round and may have hard or velvet antlers at any given time.
Range:
Fallow Deer: Fallow Deer: Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and Asia Minor (Turkey), fallow deer are rare as “wild” animals with most herds being semi-domesticated. They are considered the most widely kept deer in the world, having been introduced to every inhabited continent. In fact, they are often celebrated as a living legacy of the Roman Empire, as Romans famously prized fallow deer as a status symbol and transported them across the empire to stock private enclosures.
Axis Deer: The native range for Axis deer spans the forests and foothills of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Axis deer were introduced to Texas in the 1930s and have since adapted well to the climate.
How Fossil Rim Accommodates Fallow and Axis Deer:
Because of our spacious, semi-free-roaming pastures at Fossil Rim, we are able to accommodate large herds that have the freedom to venture wherever they please throughout the pasture. While you can find fallow deer in two of the four pastures along our self-drive tour route, Axis deer are exclusive to the main pasture.
Keep your eyes peeled for both species on your next drive-through tour. Since Axis deer frequently mingle with the fallow herds, bookmark this guide to help you spot the differences on your next visit!