Description: Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. A number of broadly similar animals from related families within the order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) are often also called deer. Male deer of all species (except the Chinese water deer) grow and shed new antlers each year - in this they differ from permanently horned animals such as antelope - these are in the same order as deer and may bear a superficial resemblance.