Comparison and Difference Between Deer and Antelope

Deer and Antelope are very similar in appearance and both are members of the Artiodactyla. Both are Even toed ungulate but Antelope belong to Bovidae family and has horns,while Deer belong to Cervidae family and has branched antlers.

Deer

Spotted-Deer

Deer belongs to Cervinae family and their Antlers are not true bone structures, Antlers of deer are branched, they shed and grow every year. Deer live in variety of habitats such as savanna,dry forest and open grassland around the world, Deer family found in the Indian subcontinent are:

Chital
Musk Deer
Sangai Deer
Swamp Deer
Sambar Deer
Indian Muntjac

Antelope

Black-buck

Antelope belong to the Bovidae family and antelope horns are permanent. The antelope’s are found in forest, woodland,plains and open habitat, Nilgai is the largest Indain antelope and Blackbuck is native and found mainly in India.

Blackbuck
Nilgai
Four Horned Antelope
Goat Antelope

– Gazelle

Indian-Gazelle

Chinkara or Indian Gazelle is one of many antelope species mostly found in the grasslands and deserts of India, Gazelles are small swift animals and the second fastest animal on earth.