This episode of Animal Society examines the various ungulate species, including deer, goats, and rhinoceroses, found across the world. We discuss their physical characteristics, social structures, communication methods, mating behaviours, and roles within their ecosystems.

Key points include:

• Deer are a diverse group of hoofed animals, ranging from the largest moose to the smallest mouse deer, found across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. They are distinguished by their antlers, which are used for mating displays and combat, and their social structures, which often involve large herds.

• Goats are another group of ungulates, closely related to antelopes, sheep, and muskox. They are found in mountainous regions of Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa, and are known for their impressive horns, excellent balance, and ability to leap between rocky terrain.

• Rhinoceroses are the largest of the ungulates, found in Africa and Asia, and are distinguished by their thick skin and large horns. They are primarily solitary animals, with poor eyesight but strong senses of smell and hearing, and use a variety of vocalisations and body language to communicate.

Across these diverse species, we discover the crucial roles ungulates play within their ecosystems, both as grazers and prey, and the importance of understanding and preserving these essential members of the animal kingdom.

Animal Society is a documentary series about the different social behaviors of various animal groups and individual species, from seabirds to insects, schooling fish to great cats.