White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Odocoileus
Species: Odocoileus virginianus
Conservation Status in Idaho
Not rare and apparently secure, but with cause for long-term concern
Range and Habitat
This species of deer can be found in various habitats from forests to fields with adjacent cover and especially riparian habitat and brushy bottomlands. In northern regions they usually require stands of conifers for winter shelter but they avoid dense forest. In montane regions their habitat is limited by snow depth, and duration.
Physical Features
Weight: Males 99-330lbs (45-150kg); Females 95-165lbs (43-75kg)
Body Length: Males 4.3-5.6ft (1.3-1.7m); Females 2.6-3.3ft (0.8-1.0m)
Shoulder Height: Males 2.75-3.6ft (0.84-1.1m); Females 2.6-3.3ft (0.8-1.0m)
Diet
White-tailed deer are intermediate feeders that predominantly browse but also eat fords, small amounts of grasses, and when available fruits, nuts, and berries.
Lifespan
10 years
Reproduction
They breed from late October to mid-December peaking in November. Pregnancy can last from 187 to 222 days. Fawns are usually born in May or June with twins being common. The fawns are a reddish brown color with white spots.
Social Behavior and Interaction
White-tailed deer exhibit an elaborate social pattern. During the warm months of the year, the basic social unit consists of related females, their fawns and yearlings, and adult males all of which have contiguous or overlapping home ranges. In autumn, yearling males disperse up to 25 miles (average 5 miles) to establish permanent ranges with a different social unit.
Major Threats
Habitat fragmentation, disease, and hunting.