WHITETAIL DEER

DESCRIPTION

3-3 1/2 feet tallweight: 150 lbs (largest buck was 425lbs)

color shading changes twice a yearspring - new coat is bright reddish brown

fall/winter - hair is blueish to grayish-brown

albinism - genetic change that prevents pigments from forming in body hair is white, eyes pink, hooves gray

Albinism (cont.)- more common is partial albinos- usually have hearing deficiency

- normal deer avoid them

walk on toenails, not toes, which allows them to move fast on well packed earth

have 32 teeth

4 glandsinterdigital gland - between hooves

metatarsal gland - between hooves and heel on hind leg

tarsal gland - inside leg on hock

lachrymal gland- front of eye

ruminants: 4 compartment stomach

DISTRIBUTION

found everywhere in WI

from middle Canada to southern US

TRAVELtend to move only in a 1 sq mile area

do not migrate - will starve to death, refuse to leave home range

HABITS

buck lives separate from doe/offspring except during rut

usually start to feed at 4:30pm till 7am

creatures of habit - if not bothered will follow same routine, trails, etc. - will shift pattern due to weather and food availability

require 10-12 lbs of food to satisfy needs

herbivores startled deer will run to nearest cover, then stop to see if followed

BREEDINGbucks lose antlers in december/jan.

doe’s estrus cycle is in Oct. -heat period of 30 hours; come into heat every 28 days

BIRTH AND YOUNG

gestation period is 200-210 days

fawns born late May or June

fawns weigh 4 1/2 to 8 lbs at birth

does leave fawns and come back to nurse 5-8 times/day

at 3-4 weeks fawn will go with doe

LIFE SPAN

life span of 8-11 yearmost bucks killed before 5 yrs

does fertility decreases after age 9

SENSESsmell - greatest sensehearing - flicker ears to get sound

sight - quick to notice slight movements

COMMUNICATION

fawn - bleats like a lamb

older deer sound like hoarse raspy sheep

stamp feet when nervous which causes vibrations in ground

signal danger by flashing white hair on rump

LOCOMOTION

top speed is about 40 mph

can clear up to 8 feet from standing position

can jump 28 ft in length

will seek water if they can’t out run predator - good swimmers

ENEMIES

original predators - mountain lion and wolf

today - man and dogs

parasitesexternal: lice, fleas, mosquitoes, wood ticks

internal: lungworms, footworms, liver flukes, and tapeworms