Despite their large stature, deer are known for being rather calm and gentle creatures. It might surprise you to learn that deer live a much more complex and fascinating life than it would appear.
Deer eat a lot.
Deer are commonly spotted browsing plants, leaves, and grass. This is because deers need to eat between 6-8% of their body weight every day.
This means a 150-pound deer would need to eat at least 9 pounds of vegetation just to survive.
If they are unable to find an abundant source of vegetation, they will also eat fruits and berries. If deer are ransacking your garden, try putting up a tall fence to prevent theft.
Only male deer have antlers.
Deer can easily be distinguished by its big antlers, but did you know that not all deers possess antlers? In most deer species, including elk and moose, only the males have antlers. The only species in which both males and females have antlers are reindeer.
Male deers use their antlers as weapons to fight with other males. The sparring match allows deers to not only assert their dominance but also compete for the attention of female deers during breeding season.
Every year, deers shed their antlers in the winter and regrow them during the summer months. The antlers are made entirely from bone and can quickly grow up to 51 inches long.
Deer have excellent survival skills.
It is important to remember that all animals, big and small, have predators. The most common animals to prey on deer are bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, wolves, and not to forget, humans.
Fortunately, they have a variety of different characteristics to protect themselves against other animals. Their brown coat provides great camouflage in the woods and tall grass, which allows them to successfully hide from predators.
They are also incredibly skilled runners and swimmers. These creatures have long, muscular legs, which allows them to run up to 30 miles per hour and jump up to 10 feet high. They can also swim through streams and other smaller bodies of water to escape dangerous situations. These survival skills help deer to evade a majority of animals that might be hunting them and escape any dangerous situations.
Have A Deer Problem? Call the Experts at Shumaker Animal Control
If you think you have a deer problem on your property, call the experts at Shumaker Animal Control to deal with the problem for you. Our experienced team will take care of the problem in a timely manner, ensuring that your home and pets are not in any danger.
At Shumaker Animal Control, we are a family-owned business who cares about the safety of you and your family but also about the well-being of the animals themselves. All of our trapping and control methods are humane, as we never try to hurt the angry or scared animal.
Call us at 443-854-8072, visit our website or fill out our contact form for more information.
