White-tailed deer standing alert among woodland brush.

Mammal Detail

White-tailed Deer

A quiet, adaptable browser that connects deep woods, meadow edges, and suburban clearings across the state.

Photo by Dmytro Koplyk

Habitat

Mixed forests, wetland margins, overgrown fields, and neighborhood greenbelts where cover and forage overlap.

Diet

Leaves, acorns, buds, grasses, berries, and other soft vegetation that changes with the season.

Fun facts

  • The bright underside of the tail flashes like a warning signal when a deer bolts.
  • White-tailed deer are strongest at dawn and dusk, when cooler temperatures make feeding easier.
  • A deer's diet shifts constantly through the year, which is part of why the species adapts so well to changing landscapes.

Keep Exploring

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