All You Need To Know About White-Tailed Deer and Fawns

White-tail deer are native throughout North America and South America and can live up to 20 years old in the wild. The whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is named for its signature tail and the white underneath its belly, though there are 38 sub-species of whitetail deer. White-tail deer are the smallest member of the North American deer family and live in herds.

Adult white-tail deer are tan or brown in the summer months and grayish brown in the winter. Members of the deer family are ruminants and have a four-compartmented stomach, which allows deer to eat very fast.

A grown deer needs ten to 12 pounds of feed per day, and since they don't have a gall bladder (like many mammals), they're allowed to eat vegetation that's normally poisonous to domestic animals.

Information About White-Tail Bucks

A white-tail buck weighs from 130 to 220 pounds (though they have bucks recorded at over 350 pounds!) and they can reach speeds up to 35 to 40 miles per hour. Antler growth is usually complete by the end of August, and the speed at which white-tail deers' antlers grow makes them the fastest-growing structures in the animal kingdom. Rut usually occurs in the last seven to ten days in October and can last into early November. A white-tail buck will shed his antlers between late December through February — reaching an average height of 36 to 40 inches from the top of the shoulder.

All About White-Tail Fawns

Most deer in the North Texas area are born from May to July. Gestation is 190 to 205 days or seven months. Most doe breed in their first autumn, meaning they are one year old when they give birth in the spring the following year. Typically, a doe has one to two fawns but it's not uncommon for them to have triplets. After birth, these baby animals can stand in their first 20 minutes, start walking in about an hour, and are even able to run shortly after! Because deer are such fast-moving animals, the mother usually hides her fawn(s) in tall grass or a quiet area until the fawn is at least two to three weeks of age. Oftentimes, "quiet" means that fawns can be hidden in someone's backyard, a flowerbed, or even a public area like a park or trail. The mother will keep them hid up to ten to twelve hours a day, coming back to feed them around noon and then later in the evening.

It's important to know that a fawn doesn't lie perfectly still because they are injured, they lie perfectly still because fawns inherently know they can't outrun enemies like coyotes, bobcats, or bears when they are so young. Fortunately, fawns are born with their own camouflage (white spots) so you can walk right by them and never see them! It's not uncommon to find a fawn in what appears to be an uncomfortable position only because something startled her and she immediately dropped to the ground and laid as still and flat as she could. But don't worry! Their mothers are more than likely closeby grazing and will be back soon. As the fawns get older, they become stronger and will soon be able to run, jump and keep up with their mothers and the larger herd.

What To Do If You Find A Fawn?

Did you find a fawn? Ask yourself these questions before you touch or disturb the baby.

Where did you find the fawn? Is it somewhere quiet? If the fawn is quietly resting and you happen to stumble upon her, don't worry, she's probably fine and her mom will be back for her soon! If the fawn is in or near a road, safely pick the fawn up and place it off the road away from traffic. In the event that the mother has been hit (or perhaps the fawn is resting beside the mother off the side of a road), it's likely orphaned and will need help.

Does the fawn appear hurt or distressed? Is it bleeding? Are there visibly broken bones? Are there flies on the fawn or an odor? If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions, the fawn likely needs help.

Is the fawn wet or appear cold? Shivering?

Is the fawn making noise? Crying out? Mouth slightly open and panting?

What position is the fawn in? Are its legs laying out to its side or tucked safely underneath its body?

Are its eyes open?

If you're able, check inside the fawn's mouth — Are its gums hot? Cold?

By answering these questions, you should be able to ascertain if the fawn is in trouble or needs help. Remember to always keep small children and domestic animals away from fawn in the event that you find one that's injured or distressed.

Our goal at Texas Fawn & Friends is to do what's best for the fawn, so always call us with any questions at (940) 577-3444.