Deer Facts
| More Animal Information Ungulates Types of Animals |
The term deer usually refers to species in the Family Cervidae, including caribou, elk and moose.
However, two related ungulate families, musk deer (Moschidae) and mouse deer (Tragulidae) also go by the name deer.
Below are some basic deer facts.
- The world's deer population consists of fifty five different species, eight of which are endangered, two of which are extinct (one in the wild, one totally extinct).
- Five native deer species, the caribou, elk, moose, white-tailed deer and mule deer, inhabit the United States.
- Male deer annually grow and shed a set of antlers, head appendages made of bone like material.
- Female Caribou are the only female deer to grow antlers.
- The Chinese water deer do not grow antlers.
- Moose are the largest of the deer species.
- Standing a little over one foot tall at the shoulders, the Northern Pudu (Pudu mephistophiles) of South America is the world's smallest deer.
- Deer are classified as herbivores. Most deer browse for leaves, shoots and twigs. However some deer also graze on grass, opting occasionally for fruits and nuts.
- Two related ungulate families, musk deer (Moschidae) and mouse deer (Tragulidae) also go by the name deer.
- A group of deer is called a herd. A male deer is called a buck. A female deer is called a doe. A baby deer is called a fawn.
- As a general rule of thumb, all deer are good swimmers and will swim across lakes or rivers to avoid predation.
- According to the National Science Foundation, "There are an estimated 1.5 million vehicle-deer collisions in the United States each year, for example, resulting in 150 motorist deaths and $1.1 billion in vehicle damage."
- Deer species are very popular state animals. Alaska and Maine, for example, celebrate the Mosse as the official state animal.
- Utah designated the Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) as the official state animal.
- Ten states, Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin designate the White-tailed deer as the official state animal or official state wildlife animal.
© 2010 Patricia A. Michaels