White Tailed Deer
Virginia deer, whitetail
Odocoileus virginianus
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White-tailed deer are graceful creatures often seen prancing through North America’s forests and fields. With their reddish-brown coats and the signature white underside to their tails, they are one of the most recognized wild animals on the continent. These deer are known for their agility and speed, capable of leaping high fences and sprinting up to 30 miles per hour. They play hide and seek with predators, using their coloring to blend in with the forest.
White Tailed Deer
Common Name
White Tailed Deer
Other Names
Virginia deer, whitetail
Latin Name
Odocoileus virginianus
Distribution
Throughout North America, from southern Canada to South America, including almost every U.S. state
Appearance
White-tailed deer are famous for the white underside of their tails, which they flash when sensing danger. They have powerful hind legs that allow them to leap distances of up to 30 feet and run very fast. In the fall, male deer (bucks) grow antlers to impress females (does) and spar with rivals. Their coats change color with the seasons, turning from reddish-brown in the summer to greyish-brown in the winter to blend into their surroundings better.
Size
Adult deer stand about 90 cm (3 feet) tall at the shoulder and can be up to 2.1 meters (7 feet) in length, including the tail.
Habitat
Deciduous forests, meadows, farmlands, and grasslands
Behavior
White-tailed deer are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. They are also very social, forming herds led by an older, experienced doe. During the winter, these herds can combine to form larger groups for better protection against predators. When spring arrives, the herds disperse, and the cycle of mating, birthing, and raising fawns begins anew.
Diet
HerbivoresHerbivores are animals that eat plants as their main source of food. They are like the vegetarians of the animal kingdom. Just as you eat fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods, herbivores munch on leaves, flowers, grass, and other parts of plants. Learn More, eating a wide variety of vegetation, including leaves, twigs, fruits, and nuts, as well as farm crops
Lifecycle
White-tailed deer have a lifecycle deeply connected to the seasons. Mating season, or the rut, occurs in the fall. After a gestation period of about 200 days, does give birth to one to three spotted fawns in the spring. Fawns can stand within minutes of birth and are weaned after about a month, although they may stay with their mother for up to a year.
Communication
Sounds like grunts, bleats, and snorts, as well as scent marking and body language
Defense Mechanisms
Besides their speed and agility, white-tailed deer rely on their keen senses of hearing and smell to detect predators. They also use their tails as signals to warn other deer of potential danger.
Ecological Importance
As a key prey species, white-tailed deer play a critical role in the food web, supporting populations of large predators. They also help in seed dispersal through their droppings, contributing to forest regeneration. However, their populations need to be managed to prevent overgrazing, which can lead to habitat destruction.
ConservationThe act of protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment. Conservation efforts are important to protect beavers and their habitats. Learn More Status
Least Concern, with stable and robust populations across most of its range
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