bild

Male European red deer (Cervus elaphus). These deer occupy upland areas of much of Europe, northwest Asia and northwest Africa. During autumn, stags compete for the attention of hinds by bellowing at other stags and walking in parallel with one another. Clashes of antlers occur if neither stag backs down. The victorious stag will secure a mate. This mating ritual is known at the rut. Photographed in October. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CHR 366 JOHN DEVRIES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)