White tailed deer are the smallest members of the Norht American deer family. They are found from southern Canada to South America. In the heat of summer they typically inhabit fields and meadows using clumps of broadleaved and coniferous forests for shade. During winter they generally keep in forests preferring shelter from harsh elements. Adult white tails have reddish brown coats in summer which fade to a duller gray brown in winter. Male deer called bucks are easily reconizable in the summer and fall by their prominent set of antlers.

Only bucks grow antlers which bear a number of tines or sharp points. During mating season also called the rut bucks fight over territory by using their antlers in sparring matches. Female deer called does give birth to one to three young at a time usually in May or June. Young deer called fawns wear a reddish brown coat with white spots that help them blend with forest. White tailed deer are herbivores usually grazing on most available plant food. Their stomachs allow them to digest a variety diet including leaves, twigs, nuts, grass etc.Occasionally venturing out in the daylight hours white tails are primarly nocturnal and mainly browsing at dawn and dusk.

In the wild white tails particularly the young are preyed upon by bobcats, moutain lions, and coyotes. They use speed and agility to outrun predatores running up to 30 miles per hour and leaping as high as 10 feet and as far as 30 feet in a single bound. White tailed refers to the white underside of the deers tail which displays and wags when it senses danger. They weigh up to 110 to 300lbs and size 6 to7.75ft. Their average life span is 6 to 14 years.

Austin 12/16/10