Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) 

Order: Artiodactyla | Family: Cervidae 

Also known as the Central European red deer or Carpathian deer.

Biology: The largest herbivore in the country's forest ecosystems, with males weighing up to 350 kg and females up to 150 kg. Molting occurs twice a year. They reach sexual maturity at 5–6 years for males and 3 years for females. The rutting season occurs in September–October, during which males form harems of 4–6 females. Gestation lasts 240–250 days, and females typically give birth to a single calf between May and July. 

Habitat: Forest ecosystems; they prefer extensive forests with abundant herbaceous vegetation. 

Ecological Role: They feed on herbaceous plants, leaves, shoots, buds, bark, seeds, and fruits. Their lifespan is approximately 20 years. 

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC.

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) 

Order: Artiodactyla | Family: Cervidae 

Biology: A large even-toed ungulate, with males weighing on average 90–100 kg (reaching up to 140 kg) and females up to 84 kg. Males possess antlers with 4–6 tines, which are shed annually between April and May. They reach sexual maturity at 2–3 years of age, and the rutting season occurs from September to October. 

Habitat: Prefers moist coniferous forests with access to water; in the Republic of Moldova, it has adapted to the forests of the Central Codri region. 

Ecological Role: Feeds on grasses, buds, young shoots, leaves, bark, and forest fruits (such as acorns). Their lifespan is 11–14 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. 

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC. 

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) 

Order: Artiodactyla | Family: Cervidae 

Biology: A small-to-medium-sized mammal weighing 20–35 kg. They reach sexual maturity at three years (females) and 3–4 years (males). Mating occurs in July–August, with males establishing territories to access one or more females. Gestation lasts approximately nine months, though the actual embryonic development takes five; females give birth to 1–3 white-spotted fawns in May–June. Males shed their antlers in November–December, and new growth is completed by June. 

Habitat: Deciduous forests with clearings and thinned areas, thickets, and adjacent plains with tall grass. 

Ecological Role: They feed on the tender parts of over 110 different plant species, consuming 3–4 kg of green forage every 24 hours. Their average lifespan is 11–12 years. Winter feeding is challenging due to competition with other cervids. 

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC. 

Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) 

Order: Artiodactyla | Family: Suidae 

Biology: Wild boar has a body length of 1.5–2 m and a weight ranging from 80–140 kg (females) to 120–270 kg (males). Sows reach sexual maturity at two years of age, while males mature at 4–5 years. The rutting season occurs from November to December. After a gestation period of 114–140 days, 4–6 piglets (occasionally up to 10–12) are born, featuring longitudinal stripes for camouflage. Males possess highly developed canine teeth that can reach 28 cm in length. 

Habitat: Mature deciduous (oak, beech) and mixed forests, often in marshy areas. 

Ecological Role: An omnivore that feeds on acorns, beechnuts, fruits, tubers, mushrooms, agricultural crops, and animal matter. Their lifespan in the wild is 10–14 years. They live in herds that may reach 20–50 individuals during winter, led by older sows. 

Conservation Status: In the IUCN Red List – LC.