White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Quick answer
The white-tailed deer is a medium-sized deer named for the white underside of its tail, which it flashes as an alarm signal. Found from Canada to South America, bucks grow and shed antlers each year, and the species can run up to 48 km/h (30 mph) and leap tall fences. Wild white-tailed deer typically live 6 to 10 years.
White-tailed Deer facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Odocoileus virginianus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Woodland, edges, and farmland |
| Lifespan | 6–10 years in the wild |
| Weight | 45–135 kg (100–300 lb) |
| Top speed | 48 km/h (30 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Cervidae |
| Genus | Odocoileus |
Where it lives
Woodlands and forest edges from southern Canada through Central America into northern South America.
The warning flag
The deer's name comes from its tail, which is brown above and bright white underneath. When alarmed it raises the tail like a flag, flashing the white to warn other deer and signal that it has been spotted before bounding away.
Antlers and the rut
Each year bucks grow a fresh set of bony antlers, covered in soft 'velvet' as they develop, then shed them in winter. During the autumn breeding season, the rut, bucks spar with their antlers to compete for mates. A buck's antler size depends on age, genetics, and nutrition.
Diet and habitat
White-tailed deer are browsers that feed on leaves, twigs, grasses, fruit, and crops, adapting easily to forest edges, farmland, and suburbs. This adaptability, along with the loss of large predators, has made them one of the most abundant large mammals in North America.
Population and management
Listed as Least Concern, white-tailed deer are thriving and in many areas overabundant, which can lead to crop damage, vehicle collisions, and pressure on forests. Regulated hunting and habitat management are widely used to keep populations in balance.
Frequently asked questions about the White-tailed Deer
Why is it called a white-tailed deer?
The deer is named for the white underside of its tail. When startled it raises the tail upright, flashing the white as an alarm signal to other deer before it flees.
Do white-tailed deer shed their antlers?
Yes. Only bucks grow antlers, and they shed and regrow them every year. Antlers fall off in winter after the breeding season and a new set begins growing in spring.
How fast can a white-tailed deer run?
White-tailed deer can run up to about 48 km/h (30 mph) and leap fences nearly 2.5 m (8 ft) high, helping them escape predators in dense cover.
What do white-tailed deer eat?
They are herbivores that browse on leaves, twigs, shoots, grasses, acorns, fruit, and farm crops, shifting their diet with the seasons and what is available.
Where do white-tailed deer live?
White-tailed deer range from southern Canada through the United States and Central America into northern South America, thriving in woodland, forest edges, farmland, and even suburbs.
