Details
Odocoileus virginianus
A widespread deer of North, Central, and parts of South America. It is named for the bright white underside of the tail flashed during alarm.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses forests, forest edges, grasslands, wetlands, farms, and suburban green spaces. Edges with cover near feeding areas are especially suitable.
The coat is reddish brown in summer and gray brown in winter, with a white tail underside. Males grow branched antlers that are shed and renewed each year.
Activity often peaks at dawn and dusk. When alarmed, it raises the tail, bounds away, and may form loose groups outside the breeding season.
It browses leaves, twigs, forbs, acorns, fruits, and crops. Diet shifts strongly with season and local plant availability.
Mating occurs in autumn, followed by spotted fawns in spring or early summer. Young fawns hide while the mother returns periodically to nurse.
Globally it is secure, but high local densities can affect forest regeneration, vehicle collisions, and disease management.
