White-tailed Deer In My Yard Quiz / Test | Wild Mammals

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The white-tailed deer is native to North America.

Answer: True

The white-tailed deer is native to North America but deer are found in many parts of the world. Mostly closely related to the mule deer (aka black-tailed deer), the white-tailed deer is the smallest of the few deer families found in North America. They are smaller than the black-tailed deer, elk, moose and caribou.

2. One look at a white-tailed deer bounding away from you and it would be easy to see how the deer got its name. Which of the following examples is said to be the purpose this characteristic serves for the deer?

Answer: Communication - a warning flag to other deer that danger may be nearby

In the world of predator and prey the white-tailed deer is more often prey. When the choices of defense are fight or flight, the white-tailed deer most often will need to select flight. With its raised tail showing a bushy, contrasting color clearly visible from the rear view, a deer can communicate "I sense danger, I am fleeing, maybe you should, too".

3. The age of a white-tailed deer can be determined by the number of points on the antlers or rack.

Answer: False

False, the outgrowth of antlers or the rack is seen on adult male deer but his age can NOT be determined by simply counting the points or projections from the antlers. Even young male deer can grow an impressive rack once they are past one year old. Genetics, nutrition and general health of the individual deer would more likely determine his rack.

In general, older deer have more points than younger deer but it's an imprecise way to determining age.

4. One of the most recognizable characteristics in the animal kingdom is the white spotted color pattern of the coat of a young white-tailed deer. What is a young deer most often called - particularly while their white spots are so apparent?

Answer: Fawn

Young white-tailed deer are called fawns. Often they are called yearlings once their white spots fade but they are not yet grown to their adult size. The white spots are the fawn's camouflage. The first few weeks of a fawn's life are spent in quiet seclusion.

Their primary defense is their ability to blend with their surroundings. Combine their color pattern and their lack of scent and a baby deer may just go unnoticed by its would-be predators and, thus, survive.

5. If you see a white-tailed deer without antlers you can say with all certainty the deer is a female deer or a doe.

Answer: False

Considering only whether the deer does or does not have its antlers may or may not determine its gender. The male deer or bucks shed their antlers each year and re-grow their antlers. The pattern of antler re-growth coincides with the pattern of rut or fertility of the female deer.

The bucks will have the antlers during the time of year that they would be competing with each other for the "right" to breed with the does.

6. During the summer months in North America the white-tailed deer has a covering over its newly grown antlers. What is this covering called?

Answer: Velvet

Velvet is the covering that is grown over the buck's antlers. It is more temporary than the antlers in that it is shed or rubbed to removal, more or less, as soon as the full growth of the buck's antlers has been attained. As with some other animal parts, deer velvet has been at the center of controversy due to its demand for use in (strength and growth enhancing) naturopathic supplements.

7. White-tailed deer are very opportunistic feeders but their diet is plant-based. Leaves, grass, fruits, nuts, twigs and pinecones often are the deer's available and acceptable fodder. This diet will have them considered to be which of the following?

Answer: Herbivore

White-tailed deer are herbivores. Their diet typically consists of those things mentioned but many back-yard gardeners woe the invasion of urban and sub-urban deer who enjoy those plush and tasty garden vegetables. Also, as mentioned - opportunistic!

8. Before his antlers emerge from his skull you may be able to see bumps on the head of a male deer. These bumps have a particular name. What is it?

Answer: Pedicles

Summer born male fawns may have their pedicles visible as soon as they are four or five months old. Usually the male deer's pedicles are more visible in the spring - once they have shed their antlers from the previous fall/winter. Pedicle is from the Latin for "small foot" but the word is used to describe many stalk-like supports or connections (body parts) in the animal kingdom.

In white-tailed deer, pedicles may also be called buttons.

9. White-tailed deer seem to appreciate the human intervention of placing a block of material they can lick and enjoy. Whether placed by the would be hunter or the suburbanite homeowner, what is this (most often white) block of material?

Answer: Salt

Placing a block of salt where deer are likely to find it is a great way to attract them to the place even more. It can be fun to watch them lick and enjoy the salt. Theories vary as to the nutritional benefit of the salt for the deer. It may be that they just like the taste.

Some (American) states restrict - or, completely ban - the use of salt blocks by hunters to attract deer they intend to kill.

10. As with most members of the animal kingdom, there can be intense competition among the male white-tailed deer for the privilege to breed with the female deer. When the bucks (or, male deer) lower their heads and push each other what is this called?

Answer: Sparring

The sparring among male deer intensifies during rut - the season when female deer are fertile. Although sparring between two male white-tailed can prove to be injurious most often it is more about proving brute strength. The stronger (and, thus, more desirable male to mate) is NOT always the buck with the biggest rack (or, display of antlers); but it can be he who "gets the girl" - this rut season, anyway.

Source: Author cowboybluedog

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor guitargoddess before going online.
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White-tailed Deer In My Yard Trivia Quiz

The world is not only constantly changing for people, it is changing for other species too. Habitat loss and other causes force many members of wildlife to seek survival in what once was unusual places - such as suburban yards. See photos.

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