whitetail deer
DESCRIPTION
WHITETAIL DEER. DESCRIPTION. 3-3 1/2 feet tall weight: 150 lbs (largest buck was 425lbs). color shading changes twice a year spring - new coat is bright reddish brown fall/winter - hair is blueish to grayish-brown. albinism - genetic change that prevents pigments from forming in body - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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
