Make way - here comes the stag!
The largest native wild animal is an impressive sight. Especially because of its imposing antlers. However, only the males of the family wear these headdresses. Not for ornamentation, but for fierce competition when it comes to the hinds. During the rutting season in the fall, the roaring of the mighty red deer can be heard far and wide through the Wittgenstein countryside. Red deer feel particularly at home in forests rich in structure with large open clearings.
Feeding behavior dominates the daily rhythm, from the first grazing and regurgitation period in the early morning hours to the last meal at midnight. By feeding on grasses, herbs, shoots, buds, tree fruits and leaves, adult animals can weigh up to 200 kilograms and live for an impressive 20 years. The red deer, whose reddish-brown summer coat gave it its name, is not endangered in Germany. More than 200,000 animals live in various parts of the country.