White-Tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) are a nuisance to motorists, a prize to hunters, and a treat for hikers. I have had the fortune of seeing this animal on almost every hike, while driving to the trail, or while biking. But for this Species Spotlight I will use my latest sighting as my point of contact.
1. White- Tailed Deer: Did You Know?
According to the NYSDOT, there are about 65,000 Deer Related Vehicle Collisions in NY most of which occur between October and December.
White- Tailed Deer Appearance:
White-Tailed deer grow to be about 6 to 7 feet. They can weigh anywhere from 100 to 300 pounds. In the summer, White- Tailed deer have a reddish-brown coat and in the winter, they have a lighter almost gray- brown hue. Their underbelly is white as well as a patch by the throat, around their eyes and bottom part of their tail.
2. White- Tailed Deer: Did You Know?
White-tailed Deer flag other deer to possible dangers by flipping their tails up and revealing the white fur.
White- Tailed Deer Diet:
White-Tailed Deer are herbivores. They eat mainly in the mornings to afternoon. Their diet consists of plant parts such as leaves and twigs, but also nuts, berries, fungi and even lichen. Their stomachs have four chambers in which White-Tailed Deer utilize rumination digestion.
3. White- Tailed Deer: Did You Know?
White-Tailed Deer can run to about 30 miles per hour. Their speed is what helps them outrun predators.
White- Tailed Deer Diseases:
While White- Tailed Deer are a great sight to see on a hike, there is a caveat to these animals and that is in the form of disease. Studies have found a positive correlation with the abundance of White-Tailed Deer and the rise in Tick related diseases such as Lyme Disease. Another illness of concern is Bovine Tuberculosis, which has been found in deer in the Michigan area. And While Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a highly fatal illness to deers that spreads rapidly, there is currently no evidence that CWD can spread to humans.
4. White- Tailed Deer: Did You Know?
White- Tailed Deer begin growing antlers at about 1 years old.
White- Tailed Deer Sighting:
I saw these White-Tailed Deer while hiking in the Twin Lakes Prk. The park is located next to the Hutchinson River Parkway in Bronxville, NY. Next to the parking lot is a horse farm. The Hutchinson River runs through the park and there are also two reservoirs within its boundary. When cross paths, we were all inquisitive of each other at first until the deer decided it was time to move on and they ran farther into the woods.
Species Spotlight:
| Common name | White- Tailed Deer |
| Species | Odocoileus virginianus |
| Location Spotted | Twin Lakes Park, Westchester County, New York |
| Date Spotted | April 19th, 2023 |
| Sighting and Trail Remarks | Twin Lakes Park is near the Nature Study Woods and is part of the Colonial Greenway Trail system. The park is home to a wide array of animals, but the White- Tailed Deer were a real treat to see. Keep an eye out for poison ivy as I noticed it near the trail edges. |