A fawn at birth weighs about 1 kg, gaining approximately 0.5 kg a week during the six-week lactation period. When born the fawn has a light-coloured spotted coat. The spots are in lines with a much darker brown dorsal stripe running down its back. Fawns are fully self-sufficient by the age of six months and are able to survive snow and extreme cold. Does have a natural tendency to establish a range, depending upon age and status.
Bucks are territorial all year round, again depending on size, age and status.
Intruders will be met very aggressively and often, serious injuries are inflicted to their flanks, neck and ears which will have been caused by the long sharp canine teeth of other challenging bucks. A buck is constantly looking out for does and may have several within his territorial area that are at different stages of pregnancy. Often prolonged and repetitive, its barking can sometimes last up to an hour and has earned it the nickname of the Barking Deer. The doe and fawn have their special squeaks and pheeps to communicate during the vulnerable early months of the fawn's life. A clicking noise is also emitted while running but this is seldom heard.