Capreolus capreolus, commonly known as the European roe deer, is widely distributed across Europe and extends into parts of western Asia. Its range includes countries from Portugal and Spain in the west to the Ural Mountains in Russia in the east, and from southern Scandinavia down to the Mediterranean regions.

The European roe deer primarily inhabits a variety of environments including mixed deciduous forests, woodlands, farmland, and grasslands. It prefers areas with dense underbrush for cover but may also adapt to open agricultural landscapes.

Roe deer are browsers that feed on a diverse diet consisting of leaves, herbs, berries, and young shoots. They are crepuscular, being most active at dawn and dusk. Adaptations to different habitats can be seen in variations of size and coat coloration, allowing them to blend into their specific environments effectively.