How long have deer been on the earth?

Deer, as a group, have been around for a very long time. Their evolutionary history stretches back millions of years.

Here's a breakdown:

* Early ancestors: The earliest known deer-like creatures appeared about 32 million years ago during the Oligocene epoch. These were small, slender animals with four-toed feet.

* Modern deer families: The modern families of deer, including the Cervidae (true deer) and the Antilocapridae (pronghorns), emerged during the Miocene epoch about 23 million years ago.

* Modern deer species: The specific deer species we know today, like white-tailed deer, elk, and red deer, evolved more recently, within the last few million years.

Therefore, while we can't pinpoint an exact time, deer have been around for at least 23 million years.