Deer are widely recognized as plant-eating animals, yet observations have occasionally shown them consuming unexpected items, including snakes. This unusual behavior challenges the common perception of their diet, prompting a closer look at what drives such instances in the natural world.
The Deer’s Herbivorous Nature
Deer are primarily herbivores, with their diet consisting largely of plant matter such as browse, forbs, and mast. Browse includes the leafy parts of woody plants, while forbs are herbaceous broad-leaved plants. Mast refers to seeds, nuts, and fruits, which provide seasonal energy. Their digestive system, characterized by a four-chambered stomach, is specifically adapted to break down tough plant cell walls, utilizing microbes in the rumen to ferment and process cellulose. This specialized system allows them to extract nutrients from fibrous vegetation, which forms over 85% of their overall diet.
Unusual Dietary Habits: Deer and Snakes
While deer are predominantly plant-eaters, documented instances, sometimes captured on video, show them consuming snakes. This behavior is rare and opportunistic, not a regular part of their diet. Such encounters might occur if a deer stumbles upon an injured or vulnerable snake, indicating an immediate opportunity.
Why Deer Might Consume Non-Plant Matter
Deer may consume non-plant matter, including snakes, to address nutritional deficiencies. These behaviors are driven by a need for minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and sodium, or for additional protein, which might be scarce in their plant-based diet. Calcium and phosphorus are important for skeletal development, antler growth in males, and milk production in females. When their plant diet does not provide sufficient amounts of these elements, deer can resort to alternative sources to supplement their intake. This dietary flexibility serves as a survival mechanism, especially in environments or seasons where plant quality is low.
Other Non-Plant Items Deer Consume
Snake consumption is not the only instance of deer eating non-plant items. Deer consume shed antlers, rich in calcium and phosphorus, to replenish minerals. They also engage in osteophagy, the practice of eating bones, to obtain essential minerals that may be lacking in vegetation. Deer have also been observed eating bird nestlings or chicks, fish, and even carrion, particularly when faced with nutritional stress. These behaviors, while not typical, demonstrate the adaptability of deer in meeting their physiological needs.