Deer ….a pest or a blessing?

General Facts about Deer  Deer are members of the order Artiodactyls.  Deer can be found all around the world; except Australia and Antarctica.  There are over 100 different types of deer.  Deer easily adapt to their environment.  Their brown coat provides great camouflage.

…and more.  Deer have eyes on the sides of their head which gives them a 310 degree view.  During the winter months they become less active and eat only 1/3 of what they eat in the summer.  Deer are herbivores.  Deer establish a territory and will not leave it.  Deer have a life expectancy of about 20 years

They are pests!  56 % of damaged crops are due to deer who tend to eat many crops.  Lyme Disease; is a disease that comes from deer. In 1995 it was the fastest growing infectious disease next to AIDS.  There are many deer-vehicle collisions annually.  They overpopulate areas. 2 deer without predation can produce a herd of up to 35 deer in seven years. 2 deer without predation can produce a herd of up to 35 deer in seven years. A deer population can DOUBLE in size annually. A deer population can DOUBLE in size annually.

Ways to manage it!  Fencing can be put up to keep deer out of crops.  If humans stayed out of highly wooded areas they would less likely to get Lyme Disease.  Road signs should be paid attention more and more to avoid vehicular accidents in high deer populations.

Positives of Deer!  They eat bugs!  They continue to over populate the world so they will never die out!  Good food source for many species!  They are cute!

Work Cited!  RKS/whitetaileddeer.htm  m/subjects/mammals/deer/ Whitetailprintout.shtml - 8k -  d/pdf/wildlife/DEER.PDF  r/ce/eek/critter/mammal/faw n.htm