Wildlife Viewing - Species Spotlight

Species Spotlight : White-tailed Deer

The white-tailed deer is one of most widely recognized animals in Florida. Throughout most of the year it’s even easy to tell males from females on sight. The males, or bucks, have antlers; they grow a new set every year. Antler growth begins in the spring, and by the summer the antlers are covered with a velvety tissue that dries up and peels off. The buck rubs the antlers against trees, which eventually removes the remaining velvet, leaving the antlers hard and smooth. Antlers are shed in late winter or early spring.

The breeding season is from July to early March. The females, or does, are pregnant for about 7 months and can give birth to 1-3 fawns, although in Florida one is typical. Though the fawns are able to run and follow the doe shortly after birth, they stay hidden in tall grass near the doe for their first few weeks. The fawns have no scent and the mother deer stays away, except to nurse, so that her scent will not mark the fawn’s hiding place. After 3-4 weeks, the fawn begins to accompany the doe as she forages. The brown fur, with white spots provides excellent camouflage for the fawn.

Deer usually rest during the daylight hours and are most active between dawn and dusk. They are browsers, selecting leaves, buds, twigs, acorns, fruits, and mushrooms. When they are nervous, deer will stomp a foot and snort, just before running off. The common name refers to the tail; it is brown above and white below. When deer are alarmed, the tails are held erect and waved back and forth like a flag, signaling a warning to other deer.

White-tailed deer are found throughout Florida. White-tailed deer are a sought after game species and populations are managed by wildlife officials. Deer are sometimes considered nuisances when they browse on cultivated plants in gardens. The Key deer of the lower Florida Keys are a much smaller subspecies of the white-tailed deer and are listed as an endangered species on state and federal lists.

Where you can find white-tailed deer

More information on white-tailed deer

Wildlife Viewing : Species Spotlight : White-tailed Deer

Species Spotlight : White-tailed Deer