The Siberian roe deer is distinct from the European roe deer, noted primarily for its significantly larger body mass, brighter coloration, and widely separated antler bases.

Location

• European Distribution: strictly limited to the European territories of Russia.
  • Typical Siberian Form (pygargus): found on the western slopes of the Ural Mountains, roughly between latitudes 50°–60°N and east of longitude 52°E. It has receded from its historical range near the Volga and Don rivers.
  • North Caucasian Form (caucasicus): geographically isolated on the lower northern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains (ranging historically from Novorossiysk and Sochi eastward to the Caspian Sea).
• Transplanted Populations: transplants (likely caucasicus) exist on managed hunting reserves across various parts of European Russia, notably at Krasny Les (near Krasnodar).
• Primary Global Range: the vast majority of its population resides in Asia, extending from the eastern foothills of the Urals all the way to the Tatar Strait.

Description

• Size (pygargus): much larger than the European species. Males stand 33–39 inches (85–100 cm) at the shoulder and weigh up to 130 pounds (59 kg). Females are slightly smaller.
• Size (caucasicus): a smaller, intermediate form between the European and typical Siberian roe deer. Males average 66 pounds (30 kg) with a maximum of 88 pounds (40 kg).
• Coat: * Summer: a bright, light reddish color.
  • Winter: transitions to a thick, rough grayish-brown coat with a distinct white rump patch.
• Antlers: heavily pearled and widely separated at the base. Unlike the European roe deer, the coronets (bases) never touch. They grow upward in a distinct “V” shape.
  • typical antlers have three points per side. However, the rear tine is frequently bifurcated, creating a four-point side profile. For the North Caucasian form, antlers rarely exceed 13 inches (33 cm).

Remarks

• Taxonomic Breakdown: for record-keeping and scientific purposes, the category encompasses three distinct races: pygargus, caucasicus, and tianschanicus. Only the first two are found within the European boundary.
• Antler Typology: scoring and classification note that any points branching outside of the normal brow and rear tines are deemed non-typical anomalies.
• Population Trends: the native footprint of the North Caucasian form has become much reduced compared to its historical range documented by zoologists like Heptner.