White-tailed deer in Texas exhibit a diverse and adaptable diet, allowing them to thrive across the state’s varied landscapes. Their nutritional needs are met through a range of plant materials, reflecting their ability to utilize available resources throughout the year. Understanding what these herbivores consume naturally is important for appreciating their role within Texas ecosystems and for promoting their health. This includes recognizing the primary categories of food they seek and how environmental factors influence their foraging behaviors.
Main Dietary Components
Deer primarily consume three main categories of natural foods: forbs, browse, and mast. Forbs are broad-leafed herbaceous plants, including wildflowers and other non-woody flowering plants. These can constitute a significant portion of a deer’s diet, sometimes making up 25-50% annually, providing essential nutrients.
Browse refers to the tender leaves, twigs, and stems of woody plants like trees, shrubs, and vines. This category is a reliable, year-round food source for deer, often comprising 30-50% of their annual intake. Deer are selective, preferring the soft, growing portions of these plants.
Mast consists of fruits and nuts, categorized as hard mast (like acorns) or soft mast (like berries and persimmons). This seasonally available food source makes up 5-20% of their annual diet and is particularly rich in energy. While deer consume grasses, especially tender new growth, this typically forms a minor part of their overall diet, generally less than 5%.
Seasonal Changes in Diet
A deer’s diet in Texas changes considerably with the seasons, driven by the availability and nutritional content of various plants. In spring and early summer, deer consume new growth, including forbs and tender young grasses. These are rich in protein and moisture, with forbs making up a substantial portion of their diet during these months.
As summer progresses, deer continue to rely on available forbs and browse, though the quality of some plants may decline. Fall brings a shift in focus towards mast, particularly acorns, which are high in fat and carbohydrates, helping deer build fat reserves for the colder months and the breeding season. Mast production, however, depends heavily on timely rainfall throughout the year.
During winter, when many plants are dormant, deer increase their consumption of browse and any remaining mast. This period can be nutritionally challenging, with deer relying on stored fat and more readily available woody vegetation.
Key Native Texas Foods
Texas offers a wide array of native plants that are important food sources for white-tailed deer. Acorns from various oak species, such as Live Oak and Post Oak, are highly favored, providing concentrated energy. Other significant mast sources include mesquite beans and the fruits of prickly pear cactus, which can be particularly important during droughts.
Browse species like greenbrier, American beautyberry, and honeysuckle are frequently consumed for their leaves and tender stems. Cedar elm, hackberry, and sumac are also common woody plants that provide browse for deer. Agarita, a shrub with small, spiny leaves and berries, is another native plant deer utilize.
Forbs, while seasonal, contribute significantly when available. Examples include wild peas, clovers, and various wildflowers. In some regions, specific plants like mistletoe and Texas persimmon are important dietary components. The diversity of these native plants ensures deer have access to a varied and balanced diet throughout the year, supporting their growth and reproduction.
What Not to Feed Deer
Feeding deer artificial or inappropriate foods can cause considerable harm, despite good intentions. Human foods, including processed items, bread, and sweets, lack the necessary nutritional value for deer and can lead to digestive upset. Their digestive systems are adapted to a fibrous, natural diet, not refined carbohydrates or sugars.
Corn is particularly problematic when fed in large quantities or as a primary food source. Deer are ruminants, and a sudden influx of high-carbohydrate, low-fiber corn can disrupt the microbial balance in their rumen, leading to a condition called acidosis. This can cause severe digestive issues, dehydration, and in some cases, death. It takes deer weeks to adjust their gut microbes to new food sources, making sudden changes dangerous.
Salt blocks are not needed for deer, as they obtain sufficient minerals from their natural diet and the environment. While deer may be attracted to salt, excessive intake without other balanced minerals can potentially lead to kidney or vascular problems. Artificial feeding can also lead to deer congregating in unnaturally high densities, increasing the risk of disease transmission and altering their natural behaviors, making them less wary of humans and more prone to vehicle collisions.