4 White Tailed Deer Facts For Kids

Not all species of deer look exactly the same. There are a number of different types that have distinguishable characteristics that set them apart. The white tailed deer is a beautiful animal that has a unique diet, habitat and behaviors.

Here is a closer look at what makes the white tailed deer different from other types:

1. Color of the Coat

One characteristic that is unique to the white tailed deer, is the changing of the coat that takes place through the spring and summer months to the winter and fall. During the spring and summer, the fur coat of the white tailed deer is a dark reddish brown shade, but it then fades to a dull gray color. Young white tailed deer that are called fawn, have a fur coat that is red color with white spots throughout. These spots often go away within about 4 months. All white tailed deer have white fur on the underside of their tales, which is what they are named after.

2. How Big Are White Tailed Deer?

The size of white tailed deer ranges slightly, but a full grown deer buck is about anywhere from 150 to 300 ponds in weight. This is a large range and depends on the hunting skills of the deer. Females white tailed deer are slightly smaller and weigh from 90 to 200 ponds. The average height is about 3 feet.

3. Fun Antler Fact

A cool fact about white tailed deer involves the antlers of males. Male white tailed deer will actually grow a new set of antlers each year. In the first year, male white tailed deer will grow a single antler spike, but in about 3 years he will have more than 8 points of the antlers. Once mating season is done, the antlers will be shed and new ones will grow. It is also true that about 1 in every 10,000 female white tailed does has antlers. This is due to the fact that these female deer have both male and female traits.

4. Where Do they Live?

The habitat for white tailed deer is within the United States. They are found in almost every state except California, Nevada, Alaska and Hawaii. It should be noted that this type of deer is native to Canada, Mexico and South America.

White tailed deer are known for their white underside tail appearance, but there is so much more that is unique about them.