White-tailed Deer

White-tailed deer on the prairie.

NPS Photo

 

A close up of a white-tailed deer buck.

NPS Photo

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are one of North America's most recognizable and widespread species of deer. In North Dakota, these graceful animals have adapted to a variety of habitats, including the river corridors and agricultural areas in the Badlands.

White-tailed deer are medium-sized mammals, with males, known as bucks, averaging 170 pounds, while females, known as does, are slightly smaller, averaging 130 pounds. One of their characterizing features is their white tail, which they raise in a distinctive flag-like motion when they are alarmed. The tail is used as a visual signal to communicate with other deer, especially when they sense danger.

Their coat is a reddish-brown in the summer and turns a grayish-brown during the winter, providing them with some camouflage in different seasons. White-tailed deer have excellent senses of hearing, sight, and smell, which help them detect predators, like coyotes and mountain lions. The antlers of white-tailed bucks differ from mule-deer. White-tailed antler tines all protrude in straight, vertical lines from the main beam, while the second tine on a mule-deer antler splits into a distinct “Y” shape.

 

Female white-tailed deer

NPS

White-tailed deer are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the dawn and dusk hours. This behavior is a survival strategy, as it helps them avoid predators and minimize exertion during the peak heat of the day. They are also herbivores, feeding on a wide range of plants, including grasses, shrubs, and leaves. Forested areas, river bottoms, and brushy ravines provide the shelter they need for hiding and foraging, so make sure to look along the Little Missouri River corridor if you hope to see them during your visit to the park.