Meet the World’s Most Unusual Deer

Quick Take

• One deer species has fangs instead of antlers, and it uses them in ways you would never expect from an animal known for being gentle. Meet the vampire deer →
• The world's smallest deer is so tiny it barely seems real, yet it's a fully grown adult. See the tiny pudu →
• One deer on this list was once extinct in the wild and looks like it was assembled from four different animals. Discover the chimeric deer →
• A deer most people think isn't a deer at all turns out to be the largest member of the entire family. Explore the largest deer →

When most people think of deer, they picture graceful animals grazing quietly in forests and meadows. However, the deer family is made up of multiple species, some of which have remarkably unusual features. Some have fangs instead of antlers, while others are no bigger than a house cat. Though certain deer species are familiar woodland animals, some of the species on this list are quite strange. The intriguing species on this list prove that deer vary far more than most people realize. Here are eight of the world’s most unusual deer.

1. Chinese Water Deer

The Chinese water deer is called the “vampire deer” because males grow long, tusk-like structures known as canine teeth that can be seen projecting from the mouth. Unlike most deer, they lack antlers. Instead, they use their impressive fangs to compete with rivals during the mating season. Deer are so strongly associated with a gentle nature that it can be difficult to imagine these mammals with fierce-looking elongated teeth. If you didn’t know of this bizarre feature, the sight of a Chinese water deer would be entirely startling. Their unusual vampire-like trait has made them one of the most famous weird deer in the world.

2. Moose

Although many people think of moose as their own category of animal, they are actually the largest members of the deer family. And they are massive. Mature bulls can stand over six feet tall at the shoulder and have wide, paddle-shaped antlers. Their powerful legs, huge builds, and oversized noses give them a completely different appearance from the delicate woodland deer most people envision. These giant members of the deer family are one of the most distinctive mammals in North America.

3. Pudu

The pudu is the smallest deer in the world. Adults may only be about a foot tall at the shoulder and weigh less than many domestic dogs. Though tiny in stature, they are true deer with miniature antlers and all. Their large eyes on a compact body make them look very cute. Seeing one in person, these animals almost seem fake. 

4. Tufted Deer

The tufted deer looks like a creature straight out of folklore. They get their name from the tuft of dark hair sitting on top of their head. These deer have small antlers that are generally hidden by their fashionable coif. Like vampire deer, males have fang-like canine teeth that extend from the mouth. The combination of their dark coloring, unique fangs, and shaggy hairdo give them a mysterious look. They are certainly far removed from a typical deer. 

5. Reindeer

Reindeer are unusual because both males and females grow antlers, which is rare in the deer world. Their noses have evolved a special cold weather adaptation; they are able to warm the frigid Arctic air before it reaches the lungs. They also have wide hooves that function like snowshoes on land and act as paddles in the water. These fascinating adaptations allow them to thrive in the harsh Arctic environment. Perhaps most interesting, their annual migrations are one of the greatest wildlife movements in the world.

6. Père David’s Deer

Once extinct in the wild, Père David’s deer survived thanks to animals kept in captivity. Their appearance is an intriguing blend of features from several different species. Those who first saw them described these mammals as having the neck of a camel, the tail of a donkey, the hooves of a cow, and the antlers of a deer. They truly do have a remarkably unusual look. Fortunately, conservation efforts have helped rebuild populations of the rare and highly unique species.

7. Swamp Deer

The swamp deer stands out because of its odd antlers, which can be quite elaborate, have several branching points, and look as though they were screwed into the deer’s head. These antlers resemble spectacular crowns balanced on the animal’s head. Swamp deer gained their name due to their preference to live in swampy environments, which is rare among deer species. They move with surprising ease through marshes, flooded plains, and soggy grasslands. The combination of regal antlers and odd habitat makes for one memorable deer.

8. Indian Muntjac

The Indian muntjac is another teeth-bearing deer. Males are the only ones who grow these teeth, which they use in territorial disputes and to compete with other males for breeding females. They also have odd, small antlers that emerge backwards from elongated bony structures. Though these qualities are strange, muntjacs are most famous for their loud, bark-like calls that give them the nickname “barking deer.” These alarming vocalizations alone make them one of the strangest deer alive.