12/18/2023 0 Comments Keywe deerRecords suggest that the deer were found around Key West and were used for food by residents and ship crews alike. The earliest mention of Key deer is found in the 18th century memoirs of Fontaneda, a shipwrecked Spaniard held captive by the local Indians. As the Wisconsin Glacier melted, the sea rose dividing the land bridge into small islands now known as the Florida Keys. It is believed the deer migrated to the keys from the mainland many thousands of years ago, across a long land bridge. No records exist documenting the origin of the deer in the keys. They must also have suitable habitat to ensure their future existence. Key deer can tolerate small amounts of salt in their water and they will also drink brackish water, but fresh water is also essential for their survival. They feed on native plants such as red, black and white mangroves, thatch palm berries and over 150 other species of plants. Antler growth is completed by August, and velvet is rubbed and kicked off in early September. Antlers are dropped February through March, and re-growth begins almost immediately so that by June, bucks with 2-inch stubs are seen. The gestation period is 204 days with fawns born April through June. Some breeding may occur as late as February. Rutting season activities begin in September, peaking in early October and decreasing gradually through November and December. Does weight 45-65 pounds while bucks weigh 55 to 75. The shoulder height of Key deer is between 24-28 inches. Present population is 250 to 300 deer with two-thirds of this population located on Big Pine Key. With the establishment of National Key Deer Refuge in 1957 and intensive law enforcement efforts, the population has since increased and has now stabilized. They are not found anywhere else in the world.ĭue to uncontrolled hunting and habitat destruction, their numbers were estimated less than 50 animals in 1940’s. The Key deer is smallest of all white-tailed deer. These deer inhabit Big Pine Key and various surrounding keys. The Key Deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is a subspecies of the Virginia white-tailed deer. This was taken at Barnacle Bed & Breakfast. You’re welcome to copy and edit them if you send me a copy.)Įven does fight. It was early morning when the noise of their antlers woke me and I ran outside naked and maybe they thought I was a hairless Keys Skunk Ape. (The videos below need editing. The were at it for about twenty minutes and they didn’t seem to pay me much mind. On the first video near the beginning, you can hear him sort of growl. But they sure are magnificent!ĭeer Fighting Videos at Mating Time. If you turn up your speakers you can hear them thrashing in the woods and hear the horns clacking and their heavy breathing. Say goodbye to our saplings and new plants. The bucks are tearing up my yard and knocking things over that I didn’t think could be knocked over. They lock horns and if not locked properly they try again. I never realized that deer don’t try to harm one another in their power struggles. The video below is of two bucks locking horns.
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