White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) – Urban Ungulate

Did you Know?

The White-tailed Deer is an “ungulate”, meaning that it has hooves. Other ungulates include the Rhinoceros and Hippopotamus It is the most widely distributed wild ungulate in the Americas The White-tailed deer is extremely adaptable, with a reported 30-40 subspecies that have adapted to

specific environments and are all genetically unique. The population of White-tailed Deer in Ontario is estimated at 400,000

Photo : B. Popelier

Range – Canada, United States, Mexico, Central America, South America (to Peru)

Habitat – The White-tailed deer is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of different habitats, including forests and open fields. This adaptability has seen this species become more and more prevalent in urban areas that are close to natural areas. In Ontario White-tailed Deer prefer stands of young conifer trees in the winter to shield them from the snow and wind.

Size – Because of their adaptability to varying habitats the White-tailed Deer is highly variable in size. Their size generally follows Bergmann’s Rule, which states that a species’ average size is larger the farther you get away from the equator. In Ontario the average weight of this species is 68-141 kg for males and 41-96 kg for females. Their average height is 68-114 cm.

Diet – White-tailed Deer are primarily herbivorous, commonly eating plants, grasses, tree nuts and mushrooms. They have however occasionally been known to opportunistically feed on nesting songbirds, field mice, and birds trapped in Mist nets. White-tailed Deer have a four-

The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected] chambered stomach that allows them to eat quickly and digest at a later time when they are in a safe area.

Status – S5/ Common in Ontario

Identification:

This deer is tan or reddish-brown in the summer and grayish-brown in the winter, with certain areas remaining white all year round. Fawns are spotted with brown tails and a white underside. When sensing danger, the deer raises its tail – this is called ‘flagging.’ Showing this large white patch on the underside of the tail signals an alarm to other deer and helps a fawn follow its mother to safety.

Males have antlers that vary in size that re-grow each year in the spring. 1 in 10,000 females also grow antlers. Antlers begin to grow in late spring, covered with a highly vascularised tissue known as velvet. Bucks either have a typical or non-typical antler arrangement. Typical antlers are symmetrical and the points grow straight up off the main beam. Non- typical antlers are asymmetrical and the points may project at any angle from the main beam. Length and branching of antlers is determined by nutrition, age, and genetics.

Photos: Top: B. Popelier Bottom: Jerry Segraves, Wikipedia.org

The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]

Interesting Facts:

White-tailed deer typically respond to the presence of potential predators by breathing very heavily (also called blowing) and running away. When they blow the sound alerts all of the other deer in the area. As they run, the flash of their white tails warns other deer (especially in mothers with young) of their alarm.

With a lack of natural predators in a large part of their range (including Southern Ontario), White-tailed Deer populations have seen an increase. At high population densities, farmers can suffer economic damage by deer depredation of cash crops, especially in corn and orchards. Deer can prevent successful reforestation following logging, and have severe impacts on native plants and animals in parks and natural areas. Large populations of deer particularly can decimate forest undergrowth and can also cause substantial damage to landscape plants in suburban areas. This fact has influenced many, often controversial, management decisions relating to the regulation of Deer populations through hunting.

White-tailed Deer and the Bruce Trail

The Bruce Trail Conservancy is continually acquiring and protecting land along the Niagara Escarpment that is home to White-tailed Deer. It is not uncommon to see these Deer along the Bruce Trail as they graze in an open field or bound through the forest understory. Because they are incredibly aware of their surroundings and will bolt at any sign of potential danger, it is often the retreating rear-end of a Deer that we encounter along the Trail. With patience however, this species can be admired along the entire length of the Trail.

The Bruce Trail Conservancy | PO Box 857 Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 | 1.800.665.4453 | [email protected]