White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

The white-tailed deer is a medium-sized deer with a reddish coat that softens to grayish-brown in the winter. They get their name from their large tail, which is white underneath.

White-tailed deer bucks (males) have antlers covered with skin, or velvet, that protects the bone.

• In autumn, as lessening light increases the buck's production of testosterone, the velvet begins to dry and slough off.
• In early spring, as light increases, antler buds appear. If the buck had an antler rack previously, the new buds push the old antlers out (the way new teeth push primary teeth out in humans).

Bucks grow to 5 feet long and stand up to 3.5 feet high at the shoulder, weighing 75 to 400 pounds; does (females) are about one-third smaller.

Where do white-tailed deer live?

White-tailed deer live in forests, backyards, wetland edges and open areas of brush throughout the Bay watershed. They often migrate to swamps in the winter.

Wolves, coyotes, cougars and bobcats once preyed upon white-tailed deer, but populations of these carnivores have significantly declined in the Bay watershed. As a result of their lack of predators, as well as their flexible feeding habits and adaptation to human settlement, white-tailed deer have become overabundant in some areas.

What do white-tailed deer eat?

White-tailed deer feed on seasonally available fruits and vegetation.

• In spring and summer they consume green plants, which can include aquatic vegetation, leaves and raspberry canes. They also eat berries, apples or grapes.
• Their autumn diet consists of nuts, acorns and grains such as corn
• In winter they eat woody vegetation, including the bark, twigs and buds of deciduous trees and conifers.

When do white-tailed deer breed?

White-tailed deer breed during “rutting season,” which extends from late September through February, with a peak in November. Females begin breeding at 1.5 years old.

• After about 6.5 months (in May or June), does give birth. They usually have only one fawn their first year, but may produce twins or triplets in the following years if food is plentiful.
• White-tailed deer fawns remain in the den for the first few weeks. They are weaned between 4 and 8 months old, but begin to graze before this time.
• Fawns stay close to the mother while foraging for food, except while she is out in the open. During these times they lie very still in the forest, camouflaged by their dappled coats. They lose their white spots in the fall.
• Fawns may stay with the mother for one year.
• Males mature at around 18 months and begin growing their first rack of antlers in the spring following their birth.

Other facts about white-tailed deer:

• White-tailed deer make a loud, whistling snort when alarmed.
• White-tailed deer are remarkably good swimmers and agile runners, capable of reaching speeds of 35 miles per hour and jumping 30 feet horizontally and 8.5 feet vertically.
• The white-tailed deer is also called the Virginia deer.
• White-tailed deer can live to 16 years in the wild.