As winter approaches, white-tailed deer must adapt their foraging habits to survive. Discover the fascinating seasonal diet changes of these majestic creatures.
Deer’s diet varies significantly throughout the year to match forage abundance.
The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a species of deer native to North and Central America.
With an estimated population of over 30 million, it is the most abundant large mammal in North America.
Found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, white-tailed deer are herbivores that feed on leaves, twigs, and other vegetation.
They are known for their distinctive tail, which turns white when alarmed, and their ability to adapt to different environments.
In spring and summer, they prefer green forage such as forbs, grasses, and new growth from trees and shrubs. ‘Soft fruits, mushrooms, and tender shoots provide easily digestible nutrients that help them regain body weight after winter.’
White-tailed deer are herbivores, and their diet consists mainly of plants.
They feed on various vegetation, including grasses, 'leaves, twigs, and bark'.
In the spring, they consume tender shoots and buds, while in the summer, they eat more mature vegetation.
During the fall, they prepare for winter by eating more nutritious foods like nuts, seeds, and fruits.
White-tailed deer also visit agricultural areas to feed on crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Their diet varies depending on the season and availability of food sources.
The Importance of Selecting Food Sources: Deer must carefully select food sources to avoid secondary plant compounds that could disrupt digestion.
Their narrow snouts and specialized digestive systems make them highly selective feeders. ‘They target specific plant parts that are most nutritious and easily digestible, rather than just eating any available plant.’
Winter Food Sources: Woody Browse and Mast: When cold weather arrives, food sources become scarce. Deer feed on woody browse, twigs, buds, and hard and soft mast like acorns and ‘soft fruits’.
During winter, white-tailed deer rely heavily on stored fat reserves and adapt their diet to conserve energy.
They feed on twigs, buds, and evergreen leaves from trees such as oak, maple, and pine.
In areas with snow cover, they may also consume lichens, mosses, and fungi.
Deer in agricultural regions may visit winter crops like corn and soybeans if available.
Their diet is often supplemented by deer-resistant plants like astilbe and hellebores.
The Importance of Selecting Food Sources: White cedar and other species become crucial winter food types in good deer habitats, helping them survive when vegetation is limited.
Managing Deer Food Sources: Agricultural Crops and Food Plots: Deer activity often increases near agricultural crops, where they feed on corn, cereal grains, and other cultivated food items. While feeding deer might seem beneficial, it can sometimes disrupt digestion if unnatural food types are introduced too quickly. Many landowners establish food plots to supplement natural resources and provide foods deer generally prefer. These managed plots help ensure that deer meet their nutritional needs year-round, especially when natural food sources are a limiting factor.
- howstuffworks.com | What Do Deer Eat During Different Seasons?
