White-tailed deer

Earlier this week, my research group and I assisted the Wild Basin in carrying out a white-tailed deer driving survey.  On our last stretch, we came across two beautiful bucks.  It’s pretty interesting how there are so many in the middle of town. The Wild basin is part of a preserve that is right in the middle of an urbanized area.  The driving survey was conducted in the neighborhoods adjacent to the Wild Basin.  White-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, are native to North and South America.  They have a broad range because they are generalists.  They get their name because the underside of their body and tail are white.  When I was young I learned that male deer or bucks shed there antlers every year after breeding season.  I thought this was pretty cool, and I still do.  The picture below was taken from the road in a truck.  The buck was no further than ten yards away.

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My iNaturalist post can be found here.

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