What are deer?

Deer are a group of mammals belonging to the order Artiodactyla and the family Cervidae.

They are herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses, leaves, and fruits. There are about 50 species of deer worldwide, with a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and ecologies. However, they share some common characteristics, such as 'rumination' and the presence of 'antlers' in males.

What are deer antlers?

Many male deer have 'antlers,' which are bony structures that grow from their heads.

Antlers are shed and regrown annually. New antlers grow in the spring, and old antlers fall off in the fall. The size of the antlers varies with age and health, and males with larger antlers are more likely to attract females! Antlers are used as weapons when males compete for females during the breeding season. They can also be used for self-defense against predators.

What do deer eat?

Deer are herbivores and mainly feed on grass, leaves, fruits, and twigs.

They have four-chambered stomachs and digest plants using a special digestive process called 'rumination.' Rumination involves regurgitating partially digested food and chewing it again. This allows them to efficiently digest plant fibers. Deer diets vary depending on the season and region. They eat new shoots and young leaves in the spring, grasses and fruits in the summer, and nuts in the fall. They also lick soil to get essential minerals.

[Quiz!] What kind of pattern do fawns have?

Fawns are born with a white spotted pattern.

These spots help them camouflage in the forest, making them less visible to predators. The spots fade after a few months, and they develop an adult coat.

[Quiz!] Why do deer ruminate?

Deer are herbivores and ruminate to help digest grass.

Rumination is the process of regurgitating partially digested food and chewing it again. This allows them to efficiently break down plant fibers. Deer have four-chambered stomachs, each with a specific function.

・Rumen: Where food is initially stored

・Reticulum: Where food is regurgitated and rechewed

・Omasum: Where food is further broken down

・Abomasum: Where food is finally digested

Deer use these four stomachs to digest grass.

[Quiz!] What is the largest deer in the world?

The largest deer in the world is the… moose.

Moose are huge deer found in northern parts of North America and Eurasia. They can grow over 6.5 feet (2 meters) tall at the shoulder and weigh over 1,760 pounds (800 kilograms)!