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White Tailed Deer

White Tailed Deer. What are the physical characteristics?. Size 3 feet tall at withers 5-6 feet in length Northern deer are larger Adult females weigh 100 pounds Adult males weigh 100-150 pounds Newborn fawns weigh 4-8 pounds Weight depends on region, habitat, age, season.

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White Tailed Deer

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  1. White Tailed Deer

  2. What are the physical characteristics? • Size • 3 feet tall at withers5-6 feet in length • Northern deer are larger • Adult females weigh 100 poundsAdult males weigh 100-150 poundsNewborn fawns weigh 4-8 pounds • Weight depends on region, habitat, age, season

  3. What are the physical characteristics? • Pelage and color • Winter pelage: thick, grayish in color, short under fur with long guard hairs. Shed April-June • Summer pelage: short thin, reddish in color. Shed August-September • Fawn pelage: spotted for protection. In August-September, lose spots • White markings around eyes, nose, throat, under belly and rump. Long white hairs under the tail, “white tailed deer”

  4. What are the physical characteristics? • Glands • Preorbital gland: lower corner of eye, scent markings on rubs • Tarsal gland: inner hock on rear legs. Scent marking on scrapes • Metatarsal glad: outer rear legs, scent marking on bedding area, sense vibrations • Interdigital glands: between toes, scent marking trails • Forehead: below antler base, scent marking on rubs

  5. What are the physical characteristics? • Senses • Vision • MonocularBinocular • Motion detection acute • Peripheral vision • Very good night vision • Color blind • Rarely look up • Smell • Critical for survival • Warning, breeding activity, food and family group location

  6. What are the physical characteristics? • Hearing • Acute hearing • Antenna-like ears • Investigate sounds • Adapt to sounds • Taste • Similar to humans • Touch • Critical to fawn survival • Stimulates doe receptivity

  7. What are the physical characteristics? • Skeletal System • Prey animal adapted for running • Gait is a mix of leaping and long strides • Efficient runner and swimmer

  8. What are the physical characteristics? • Antlers • Fastest growing tissue in animal kingdom • True bone, grow directly from skull • Velvet aids in growth. Growth period: May-August • Velvet antlers sensitive • 2 categories: • Typical • Non-typical

  9. What are the physical characteristics? • Scoring Systems • Boone and Crockett • Pope and Young • Antler size depends on genetics, nutrition, and age • Antler growth dependent on male hormone • Antler hardens and velvet sheds in August • Decrease hormone level after rut triggers antlers to “cast off”

  10. What are the physical characteristics? • Teeth • No upper front teeth • 32 teeth • Used to determine age • Average lifespand 2-3 years bucks, 4-6 years does

  11. What are the physical characteristics? • Digestive System • Ruminants • 4 chambered stomach • Rumen • Reticulum • Omasum • Abomasum • Deer droppings • Estimate age • Locate bedding, feeding and trail areas • Population census • Stand location • Current activity

  12. What is the reproductive process of the white-tailed deer? • Correlated to four seasons • Summer • Family groups of does and fawns • Bachelor group of bucks • Dominance established during summer non-violently

  13. What is the reproductive process of the white-tailed deer? • Fall • Bachelor groups break up • Three distinct phases • Pre-rut • Antlers harden, shed velvet • Bucks make “rubs” • Sparring matches • Bucks eat less, spend time alone • Does continue feeding • Does ward off bucks

  14. What is the reproductive process of the white-tailed deer? • Rut • Minnesota rut is mid October-December • Triggered by “photoperiodism” • Bucks neck enlarges • Buck makes scrapes • Buck very aggressive • Doe indicates receptivity • Several days of courting • Does in estrous for 24-36 hours every 28 days

  15. What is the reproductive process of the white-tailed deer? • Post-rut • Buck’s hormone level decreases • Buck begins to eat heavily • Antlers cast off

  16. What is the reproductive process of the white-tailed deer? • Winter • Breeding activity ends • Gestation is 187-212 days • Deer regroup and “yard-up” • Mortality

  17. What is the reproductive process of the white-tailed deer? • Spring • Antler growth begins • Fawns born May-June • Does seeks solitude • Twins/triplets in high quality habitat • After birth, doe quickly cleans fawn • Spring fawn mortality is high

  18. What type of communication do white-tailed deer use? • Stomping • Scent glands • Tail movements • Tail wagging • Tail flicking • Tail flagging • Vocalization • Fawn bleat • Doe bleat • Bawl • Doe snort • Buck snort

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