The family Cervidae, commonly known as deer, belongs to the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. Cervids are medium to large herbivorous mammals characterized by slender legs, cloven hooves, and, in most species, males possess antlers that are shed and regrown annually. They inhabit a wide range of environments across the Northern Hemisphere, including forests, grasslands, and tundra, and feed primarily on leaves, grasses, and other vegetation. Cervids play important ecological roles by influencing plant communities and serving as prey for large carnivores. Well-known members of this family include the white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and reindeer (caribou).