Florida is home to a significant deer population, primarily white-tailed deer. These adaptable mammals thrive in diverse environments across the state.
Florida’s Widespread White-Tailed Deer
Florida’s white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have a reddish-brown to grayish-brown coat, a white throat, a white band around the nose, and a white underbelly and tail underside. Adult males in Florida typically average around 125 pounds, with females averaging about 95 pounds, making them smaller than their northern counterparts.
White-tailed deer are highly adaptable, inhabiting most Florida habitats, including forest edges, oak hammocks, grasslands, and agricultural pastures. Their herbivorous diet consists of leaves, twigs, stems, flowers, acorns, fruits, mushrooms, and aquatic plants. In agricultural regions, they may also consume cultivated crops. Florida’s white-tailed deer population is stable, with an estimated 700,000 individuals across the state.
The Distinct Florida Key Deer
The Florida Keys are home to a unique and endangered subspecies of white-tailed deer, the Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium). These deer are notably smaller than their mainland relatives. Adult males typically weigh between 55 and 75 pounds, while females average between 45 and 65 pounds. They stand approximately 24 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder.
Key deer primarily inhabit the lower Florida Keys, with highest concentrations on Big Pine Key and No Name Key. Their habitat includes pine rocklands, hardwood hammocks, mangroves, and freshwater wetlands. They can swim between islands and tolerate saltwater, though they still require freshwater. The Key deer faced near extinction in the 1950s due to hunting and habitat loss, with only about 25 individuals remaining. Conservation efforts, including the National Key Deer Refuge (1957) and their endangered species listing (1967), have helped their population recover to an estimated 700 to 800 deer.
Interactions with Florida’s Deer
Deer-vehicle collisions are a common concern in Florida. These accidents pose a significant threat to deer, especially the endangered Key deer, with road kills accounting for a large percentage of their annual mortality. Deer are most active during dawn and dusk, making these times hazardous for drivers. To reduce collision risk, drivers should exercise caution, particularly in areas known for deer activity like Big Pine Key.
Deer are often sighted in suburban and urban areas foraging for food. If deer become a garden nuisance, non-harmful deterrents can be employed. An 8-foot-high fence is considered the most effective physical barrier. Repellents, which work through odor or taste, are also available, though their effectiveness can vary. Motion-activated sprinklers and noisemakers can temporarily deter deer, but deer can become accustomed to these methods.
Avoid feeding wild deer. Providing food can lead to negative consequences for both deer and humans. Feeding can cause deer to lose their natural fear of humans, making them vulnerable to vehicle collisions and dog attacks. It can also lead to disease spread by encouraging deer to group in small areas. Observing deer from a respectful distance is the best approach to appreciating these animals.