White-Tailed Deer
White-tailed deer are easily recognized springing through riparian areas with their white tails signaling like flags.
About This Species
There are two species of deer in Colorado. White-tailed deer (or "whitetails") have smaller ears, antlers with a single main beam bearing smaller tines, and, of course, broad white tails. White-tails move with a graceful lope, the flag-like tail held erect.
Both species of deer are four to six feet long and stand three feet or more high at the shoulder. Weights of large bucks range over 400 pounds, but does are only half that size. Adult males begin to grow antlers in spring, used in a clash for dominance and breeding rights in autumn. Antlers are then shed in winter.
Deer are frequent traffic casualties, and mountain lions, coyotes and packs of feral dogs prey upon them.
Disease
Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease found in deer, elk and moose. Colorado Parks and Wildlife researchers and biologists have studied chronic wasting disease on numerous fronts - their work and expertise on this disease is recognized both nationally and internationally.
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Physical Characteristics
White-tailed deer are reddish-brown in the spring and summer and grayish the rest of the year. They are four to six feet long and stand three feet or more high at the shoulder. Weights of large bucks range over 400 pounds, but does are only half that size. Adult males begin to grow antlers in spring, used in a clash for dominance and breeding rights in autumn. Antlers are then shed in winter. White-tailed deer antlers have points that grow from a main beam, unlike mule deer which have forking antlers.
Range
White-tails have become increasingly common in streamside woodland and nearby crop lands along the rivers of the eastern plains.
Habitat
Mule deer occupy any "edge" habitat, including suburban residential areas.
Diet
Deer are browsers, feeding mostly on woody vegetation, including twigs and leaves of shrubs and trees, including ornamentals. They also forage on crops, especially corn. Because they eat little grass, they tend not to compete seriously with livestock or elk.
Reproduction
Deer breed from October to December. After a gestation period of six and a half months, spotted young (usually twins) are born. Fawns stay with their mothers for up to two years, but are weaned after only three months.
Threats to Species
- Vehicle conflict
- Climate change
- Human development
- Predation by feral dogs
- Contagious diseases such as chronic wasting and hemorrhagic disorder