White Tail Deer
Once nearly exterminated from the eastern and midwestern U.S., White-tailed deer are now more common than ever. The clearing of forests and planting of crops have allowed this animal to do very well alongside man.
Whitetails eat a variety of plants, buds, and plant seeds and acorns. Their four-part stomach allows them to digest things that other animals cannot. They average eating 4 to 9 pounds of food per day.
Their excellent hearing, sight, and sense of smell is something that they depend on. The smell sense helps them locate food and vision and hearing protects them from predators.
Deer can run at speeds up to 38 miles per hour and jump vertically over 8 feet and horizontally up to 30 feet.
The males grow antlers that are replaced every year. They use these antlers to compete with each other for females and also for defense. Some does (female deer) can have antlers, but this is rare.
Fawns (baby deer) are born around June in North Carolina. Usually one fawn is born at a time, but sometimes in good food years twins are born. Their almost entire lack of smell acts to protect the fawns from predators. The mother often leaves the fawn curled up sleeping while she wanders off for food, but she is nearby.
