* Grasses: Desert grasses like grama grass, mesquite grass, and galleta grass are a significant part of their diet.
* Desert shrubs: They browse on various shrubs like creosote bush, mesquite, and prickly pear cactus.
* Cactus: While cacti are prickly, deer have evolved to be able to eat the pads and fruits.
* Forbs: These are non-grassy flowering plants that grow in the desert, including wildflowers and legumes.
* Bark: In times of scarcity, deer may also nibble on the bark of trees.
* Fruits and seeds: Deer will also eat fruits and seeds when available, including those from desert plants like mesquite and prickly pear.
It's important to note that deer in the desert face challenges finding enough food and water, especially during drought conditions. They have to adapt their foraging strategies to survive. For example, they might travel long distances to find water sources or graze on less desirable plants when preferred food is scarce.
Overall, a desert deer's diet is diverse and consists of tough, dry plants that they can tolerate due to their adaptations.