The Stag's Head
This is a Fallow Deer stag with a set of large antlers. It is well-known that Fallow Deer were introduced to Britain, probably by the Normans in the 11th century (though bones have been found at a 1st century Roman site in West Sussex). But it is less well-known that Fallow Deer was also introduced into Europe, with its native range being Turkey and Iran. It was introduced to the Mediterranean region during the early Neolithic period about 6000 years ago. The fossil record shows that a large race of Fallow Deer (Dama dama clactoniana) did occur in Britain 250,000 years ago but became extinct during the last (Würm) glaciation.
Males grow a new set of antlers each year, and each subsequent set grows larger. Males fight with other males, which takes its toll, so males rarely survive beyond 10 years. The name fallow is an old word describing a sandy brown colour.
The Stag's Head
This is a Fallow Deer stag with a set of large antlers. It is well-known that Fallow Deer were introduced to Britain, probably by the Normans in the 11th century (though bones have been found at a 1st century Roman site in West Sussex). But it is less well-known that Fallow Deer was also introduced into Europe, with its native range being Turkey and Iran. It was introduced to the Mediterranean region during the early Neolithic period about 6000 years ago. The fossil record shows that a large race of Fallow Deer (Dama dama clactoniana) did occur in Britain 250,000 years ago but became extinct during the last (Würm) glaciation.
Males grow a new set of antlers each year, and each subsequent set grows larger. Males fight with other males, which takes its toll, so males rarely survive beyond 10 years. The name fallow is an old word describing a sandy brown colour.