Exploring Deer—Nature for Kids

Exploring Deer—Nature for Kids

Aug 20, 2024

by Renée DeVincent

Encountering a deer in your yard or out in nature can be an enchanting experience and a special moment to share with your kids. Deer are graceful and gentle creatures, and a wonderful reminder of the natural world and its beauty. By understanding more about them, their habits and needs, you can help foster, in your kids, an appreciation for nature.

Short Facts About Deer

• Deer antlers are one of the fastest-growing tissues in the animal kingdom.
• Despite their land-based lifestyle, deer are excellent swimmers.
• Like cows, deer have a four-chambered stomach that allows them to digest tough plant material.
• Deer can sprint up to 30 miles per hour.
• Deer have dichromatic (two-color) vision only seeing blues and greens, While humans have trichromatic vision.

5 of the Most Common Deer in North America

Deer are part of the Cervidae family. They are known for having two large and two small hooves on each foot and also for having antlers. They have slender bodies and long legs, and their keen senses and agility make them masters of their environment. There are approximately 47 species of deer worldwide with only seven in North America.

Deer are incredibly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, grasslands, and even urban areas. They are highly versatile and can make themselves at home wherever there is sufficient food, cover, and water. In suburban and rural areas, it's not uncommon to see deer venturing into yards and gardens.

Deer Babies are Called Fawns

Deer give birth to their young, called fawns, in the late spring and early summer. Fawns are born with white spots on their reddish-brown coats, which provide camouflage in dappled sunlight. These spots usually fade by the time they are 3-4 months old. Fawns are typically hidden in tall grass or underbrush while their mothers forage nearby, returning periodically to nurse them. By the time they are a few weeks old, fawns start to follow their mothers and learn how to find food and avoid predators.

Deer in Your Backyard

Having deer in your backyard can be a delightful experience, giving a chance to see them up close. Here are some tips to make your backyard deer-friendly and safe:



• Avoid Feeding Deer: While it might be tempting to feed deer, it's best to let them forage naturally. Feeding can make them dependent on humans and disrupt their natural behaviors.
• Protect Your Garden: If you have a garden, consider using deer-resistant plants or installing fencing to keep deer away from your prized flowers and vegetables. Deer repellents can also be effective. Also, a well placed log or brush pile can encourage deer to look for a more accessible spot.
• Welcome Deer to the Table: Planting tasty deer favortie plants away from your garden or at the edges encourages deer to eat those instead of the plants you are growing for yourself. Add species that thrive on natural pruning to path edges.
  
• Drive Carefully: Deer are most active during dawn and dusk. If you live in an area with a high deer population, be extra cautious when driving during these times to avoid accidents.
• Enjoy from a Distance: Use binoculars or a camera to observe deer without getting too close. This helps to keep both you and the deer safe.
  

Article Sources:

National Park Service

Britannica

Kansa Mammals Atlas

National Wildlife Federation

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Human Society

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