Deer roam forests and fields with a grace that captivates observers. These gentle herbivores survive predators using incredible senses and lightning-fast reflexes. Furthermore, their biology includes some of the strangest adaptations in the animal kingdom. Consequently, they thrive in almost every environment on Earth. Explore the wild secrets of the animal family known as Cervidae.
Deer
Male deer grow completely new antlers every single year. This process requires immense energy, as they shed the old bone and regrow it from scratch.
Reindeer eyes actually change color depending on the season. They turn gold in the summer to reflect sunlight and switch to deep blue in the winter to capture more light.
Chinese water deer possess long vampire-like fangs instead of antlers. Males use these sharp tusks to fight rivals during the mating season.
Their hollow hair acts like a life jacket in the water. This unique fur provides buoyancy, allowing them to swim for miles without getting tired.
A deer can see almost 310 degrees around its head without moving. Their eyes sit on the sides of their skull to spot predators coming from nearly any direction.
Fawns possess absolutely no scent when they are born. This lack of smell helps them hide from wolves and bears while their mothers forage for food.
Moose actually rank as the largest member of the deer family. A full-grown male moose can stand nearly seven feet tall at the shoulder.
Conversely, the Pudu stands as the smallest deer in the world. This tiny creature from South America grows only about fourteen inches tall.
Deer antlers rank as the fastest-growing tissue in the animal kingdom. In some species, the bone grows up to an inch every single day.
They chew their food twice due to their four-chambered stomachs. They swallow vegetation quickly and then regurgitate it later to chew it again as cud.
A healthy deer can jump over obstacles nearly ten feet high. This explosive power allows them to clear backyard fences and fallen trees with ease.
Herds of deer live on every continent except for Antarctica. Humans even introduced them to places like Australia and New Zealand where they did not exist naturally.
Their eyes detect ultraviolet light that humans cannot see. This ability helps them spot white fur against snow or see better during the twilight hours.
They use specialized muscles to rotate their ears 180 degrees. This allows them to pinpoint the exact location of a twig snapping behind them.
Finally, a deer can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. This sprinting ability serves as their primary defense against chasing predators.
