Female vs Male deer dynamics help reveal their distinct roles in the ecosystem. Have you ever thought about what makes female deer (does) different from males (bucks)?
These herbivores have unique traits and behaviors. Learning about their differences therefore helps us understand nature and how to protect them.
Physical Differences Between Male and Female Deer
Size Disparity
Male and female deer show clear size differences. White-tailed deer, for example, have distinct looks based on their sex. Generally, bucks are about 20% bigger than doe (s). They weigh between 100 and 300 pounds, while a doe can weigh between 85 and 130 pounds.
Adult white-tailed bucks weigh 120–160 pounds while their female counterparts weigh 80–120 pounds. It is interesting to note that newborn fawns weigh around 4–6 pounds and can walk right after birth!
Due to their size, bucks have a bigger home area than doe (s), ranging from 1–4 square miles. A single bed often belongs to a buck, while many beds mean doe (s) are present.
When it comes to tracks, bucks drag their feet, making less ordered tracks. Doe (s), however, lift their feet, leaving a pointed track.
The behavior of the female vs male deer also sets them apart. Bucks lead in finding food, scouting the area before grazing while doe (s) and young bucks follow them.
Unlike doe (s) bucks urinate while walking, leaving a scattered trail of signs as they move. Doe (s) squat to urinate, leaving clear signs.
Female Vs Male Deer: The Distinctive Antlers
Male and female deer are easily told apart by the presence of antlers. However, in some species like the reindeer, both males and females have antlers.
Male white-tailed deer grow big antlers in the warm months. These antlers usually start covered in soft, velvety skin, which peels off later.
Some female deer also have antlers, but they are smaller and not as strong as the males’. This is because males have more testosterone, which helps their antlers grow big.
Consider the following facts about deer antlers;
- Only male deer have fully developed antlers, showing a clear difference between the sexes.
- Antlers can show a deer’s age and strength, helping to set a pecking order among males.
- Antler size often matches the deer’s overall size, linking size to dominance in males.
- During mating season, males use their antlers to threaten and establish their place in the group.
Antlers are mainly used by bucks for fighting and attracting doe (s). Antler fights can be dangerous, sometimes causing serious injuries or death. However, for the doe, the size of the antler shows a buck’s quality which affects which buck it (a doe) will choose to mate with.
Mating Behaviors: Female vs Male deer
Female and male deer show different mating behaviors and have an annual rut season. During this season, which is mostly in the fall, bucks compete for dominance and mating rights therefore becoming more aggressive.
Doe (s) on the other hand, focus on teaching their young (fawns) important survival skills from around 4 weeks old. The rut season is key especially for the whitetail, mule, red, and fallow deer.
The Rut and Mating Behaviors
Male deer, or bucks, have special behaviors during the rut. These special behaviors are exhibited to show they’re the best and get mating chances.
Male deer behaviors include:
- Aggressive posturing and antler-to-antler combat with other males
- Marking their territory with scent from their forehead glands
- Emitting grunts, snorts, and other vocalizations to attract females
- Closely following and courting receptive does
Female deer, or does, act differently during the rut. They stay in their areas and wait for the top males (those who are successful in securing a harem of females) When a doe is ready, mating is fast, lasting just a few seconds.
After about 200 days of pregnancy, doe (s) give birth to one or two fawns in the spring. The fawns learn survival skills from their mothers which helps keep the deer population going.
Mothering Instincts; Female Deer
Female deer, or does, are known for their amazing mothering skills. When you see a deer with one or more fawns, it’s likely a doe taking care of her babies. She teaches them how to find food, which is key for their survival and growth.
The bond between a doe and her fawns is incredibly strong. She will protect her young with all her might, even risking her own safety. She shows them where to eat, helping them learn to find the food they need to grow strong.
Here are some interesting facts about the deer and the rut season;
- Most doe (s) breed in a single week
- Bucks can lose approximately a third of their weight after a month of mating.
- Deer penises have been used in traditional medicine since ancient Greek times to relieve men’s impotence.
- DNA tests on twins and triplets frequently confirm that one doe can mate with multiple males.
Taking Care of The Fawns
Fawns are born in the spring, often on stormy nights. Doe (s) keep their babies safe and feed them. Deer milk is special, with lots of fat and protein to help their babies grow strong.
The care that female deer give their fawns is vital for their survival. Threats like bears, bobcats, and coyotes are always there, and the does’ watchfulness and guidance help their young stay safe.
Deer Species Variations
The deer species around the world can be split into two main groups: Old World deer (Cervinae) and New World deer (Capreolinae). Old World deer, like the red deer and fallow deer, live mainly in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. New World deer, including the white-tailed deer and mule deer, are mostly in North and South America.
It is worth noting that each species has its own unique look and behavior, just like the differences between males and females in the same species.
For example, male red deer, or stags, are much bigger than females, called hinds. The same is true for Eurasian fallow deer, where males, or bucks, are much larger than females, or does. These size differences often lead to different mating behaviors and social structures within each deer species.
Deer have been important in human cultures for a long time. People have hunted and farmed deer for their antlers in many places. The diversity of deer species shows how adaptable and resilient they are.
On deer species variations, the following are worthy of note;
- Male deer of almost all species (except the water deer) and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year.
- Deer hunting has been popular since the Middle Ages and remains a resource for many families.
- Male red deer is a stag, while other large species may have a male called a bull and a female called a cow.
- The highest concentration of large deer species in temperate North America is in the Canadian Rocky Mountain and Columbia Mountain regions.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between female and male deer is key to observing and identifying them in the wild. This knowledge will also help you appreciate deer more.
If you love wildlife, photography, or just being outdoors, knowing about deer can make your experiences better. When you’re out watching deer, look for clues that show if they’re male or female. Spotting these unique traits can help deepen your connection with nature.
