Gestation Period:
* Deer are pregnant for approximately 200-205 days (around 7 months).
Fawn Birth:
* Usually, a doe (female deer) gives birth to 1-3 fawns.
* Fawning typically happens in the spring (May-June), depending on the location and climate.
* Does prefer secluded, dense vegetation, such as thickets, forests, or tall grass, for giving birth.
Fawn Characteristics:
* Newborn fawns are born with a coat of reddish-brown spots, which helps camouflage them.
* They are born blind and deaf, but quickly develop their senses within a few days.
* Fawns are extremely vulnerable in their first few weeks and rely heavily on their mother for protection and nourishment.
Mother's Role:
* Does stay close to their fawns and protect them from predators.
* The mother nurtures her fawns with milk for several months.
* They leave their fawns alone for extended periods, often returning to check on them periodically. This is a survival strategy to avoid attracting predators to the fawn's location.
Fawn Development:
* Fawns grow rapidly and begin to eat solid food within a few weeks.
* Their spots fade as they mature, and they eventually develop the characteristic white tail.
Interesting Note:
* The fawn's white tail is not actually white at birth but gradually becomes whiter as the fawn ages. This white tail serves as a signal for other deer and helps mothers and fawns communicate.
If you ever see a fawn alone, do not attempt to touch or move it. Its mother is likely nearby and will return.