25 Animals that Look Like Deer (with Pictures) – Fauna Facts (2024)

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 referred to as deer mimics, typically have features that resemble those of the white-tailed deer.

Fascinatingly, animals have evolved into many family groups, not just the deer (Cervidae) family, 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 bear a resemblance to deer. We will take a look at their physical features and some interesting facts about them.

Examples of Animals that Look Like Deer

1. Barasingha

The Barasingha is a deer species that is 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 be around 3.6 feet tall at the shoulder.

Males of this species tend to be larger than females and have antlers that can span up to 3 feet in width. Barasinghas are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of grasses and aquatic plants.

2. Bharal

The bharal, also known as the Himalayan blue sheep, is a native of the Himalayan region. It is most commonly found in Nepal, Tibet, and India. The bharal is a herbivore that feeds on grass and shrubs. It has a thick woolly coat that helps it to survive in cold temperatures. The bharal is also known for its horns, which can grow up to 30 inches in length.

3. Blackbuck

The blackbuck, which is also known as the Indian antelope, is a species that is 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 horns that they use to attract mates and assert their dominance. The blackbuck is an endangered species and it is estimated that there are only about 4,000 of them left in the wild.

4. Chinkara

The Chinkara, also known as the Indian gazelle, is a species of antelope that is found in parts of the Indian subcontinent. The Chinkara is a relatively small antelope, standing at about 60-80 cm (24-31 inches) at the shoulder. They are reddish-brown in coloration and have white spots on their sides. The Chinkara is a herbivore, feeding on leaves and grasses. These creatures are also known to be proficient jumpers and can leap up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in a single bound.

5. Chitral (aka Markhor)

The Chital or Cheetal (Axis axis), also known as Spotted Deer or Axis Deer, is a deer that commonly inhabits wooded regions of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Pakistan. The chital is the most common deer species in Indian forests. It is a spotted brown and white creature with antlers and a tuft of black hair on its forehead.

The male chital grows to a length of 3.5 ft while the female chital grows to a length of 3 ft. The weight of the male chital is between 60-190 lbs while the weight of the female chital is between 50-120 lbs. The diet of the chital consists of grass, leaves, fruits, and flowers.

6. Elk

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, behind only the moose.

Male elk 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 pounds) and standing 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. Elk have reddish-brown fur that becomes darker in the winter. Their antlers can grow up to 2.1 meters (7 feet) long.

Related Article: Do Elk Have Antlers?

7. Gazelle

Gazelles are a family of antelope characterized by their slender and elegant build. 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, which is found in Africa, is the smallest member of the gazelle family.

The Grants gazelle, on the other hand, is the largest gazelle species. Gazelles are mostly herbivorous animals and feed on grasses 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

8. Gemsbok

The Gemsbok is a member of the antelope family and is native to Africa. It is a large animal, with males reaching up to 1.8m in length and females up to 1.6m. 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 60cm in length. The Gemsbok is a herbivore and feeds on grasses, bushes, and other plants.

9. Giant Sable

The giant sable (Hippotragus niger) is a large antelope that is found in Angola. It is the largest member of the genus Hippotragus and can weigh up to 500 kg (1100 lb). The giant sable has a reddish-brown coat with white markings on its face, neck, and legs. It is a herbivore that feeds on grasses and leaves. The giant sable is threatened by habitat loss and poaching.

10. Greater Kudu

The greater kudu is a large antelope that is found in Africa. Adults can weigh up to 700 pounds and stand up to six feet tall at the shoulder. Greater kudus have a light brown coat with white stripes running down their sides. Their horns are spiral-shaped and can grow up to three feet in length.

11. Ladakh Urial

The Ladakh urial, also known as the shapo, is a type of wild sheep that is found in the mountainous regions of Central Asia. The Ladakh urial has a number of physical features that make it look like a deer. For instance, this animal has long and slender legs, as well as antlers that are similar to those of a deer. The Ladakh urial is also noted for its light brown fur, which helps it to 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 to be an endangered species.

12. Moose

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. Moose have long legs and a large body. They also have antlers that can grow up to six feet wide.

Read Also: Do Moose Eat Wood?

13. Muntjac

The muntjac, also known as the barking deer, is a small deer that is found in the forests of southern and southeast Asia. These animals get their name from their distinctive call, which sounds like a dog barking. Muntjacs are the size of a large dog and have short antlers. Their fur is reddish-brown in color and they have a white stripe running down their backs.

14. Nilgai

The largest Asian antelope, the nilgai can be found in central and southern India. Males of this species can grow to be up to 3.6 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 550 pounds. The nilgai is a brownish-grey color with white markings on its face, belly, and legs. These animals are herbivores and primarily feed on grasses.

15. Nyala

The nyala is a South African antelope that is often mistaken for a deer. It has spiral horns and a reddish-brown coat with white stripes running down its sides. The male nyala also has long hair on its neck and chest, which distinguishes 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.

16. Pudu

The 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 antlers. Pudus are found in the Andean mountains of Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

17. Pygmy Brocket

The pygmy brocket is a small deer-like mammal that is found in the rainforests of Central and South America. This animal has reddish-brown fur and a white belly. It gets its name from its short, stubby antlers. The pygmy brocket is a shy creature that is seldom seen by humans. However, this animal is an important part of the rainforest ecosystem.

18. Red Deer

The Red Deer is a species of deer that is 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 grow up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long. The red deer is a herbivore and feeds on leaves, grasses, and fruit.

19. Reindeer

Reindeer are perhaps the most well-known deer mimics. These animals are found in the Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Reindeer have a number of physical features that make them appear similar to deer. For instance, they have long legs and antlers that are similar in shape to those of deer. In addition, their fur is often white or grey, which can give them a deer-like appearance.

20. Roan Antelope

The roan antelope is a species of antelope that is found in parts of Africa. This animal has a reddish-brown coat with white spots. The spots are more prominent on the flanks and hindquarters. The roan antelope also has long, spiraling horns that can grow up to four feet in length. These horns are used for defense and for social status.

Related Article: 15 Animals Like Antelopes

21. Sambar

The sambar is a large deer that is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is the largest member of the deer family in India and Sri Lanka. The sambar can grow to be 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 in white spots. The antlers of the sambar are large and curved.

22. Takin

The takin is a species of hoofed mammal that is 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 typically brown or reddish-brown in color. Their horns are long and curved, and they have a large head with a stocky build. Male takins can weigh up to 660 pounds, while females typically weigh between 440 and 550 pounds.

23. Tibetan Antelope

The Tibetan antelope, also known as the chiru, is a native of the Tibetan Plateau. The animal is well-adapted to its high altitude habitat and can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. The chiru has long, slender legs and a reddish-brown coat. The males of the species grow large horns that they use to attract mates.

24. Tibetan Gazelle

The Tibetan gazelle is a small antelope that is found in the Himalayan region of Tibet. It has a reddish-brown coat with white markings on its face, belly, and legs. The Tibetan gazelle is an agile creature that can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

25. Vietnamese Mouse Deer

The Vietnamese mouse deer is a small, mouselike creature that is 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.

Conclusion

The animals in this article all share a common characteristic- they look like deer. While they may not all be classified as deer, they are all related to the deer family and share many of the same characteristics. These creatures can be found living in various habitats around the world, from dense forests to barren deserts.