Feeding Behavior of Deer

Many different types of commonly found deer in North America live in woods and forests that have mixed hardwoods with clearings. These herbivores browse and forage through different types of vegetation in order to find and eat the best foods available at that time. What the deer's diet consists of changes year-round, as available foods are determined by the seasons.

  1. Foods in the Habitat

    • The home range of a deer covers roughly 1 square mile, and deer will constantly travel over this small range to forage for different foods. The forest provides woody plants and leaves to eat, while the clearings offer edge growth, weeds and plants like blackberry. Deer also need at least one permanent source of water within their home ranges, as they do not travel far.

    Foraging Herbivores

    • Deer are herbivores, meaning they feed on vegetation. Most deer do not graze on grass. Instead, they forage for the types of vegetation that taste good and are available. Deer that are seen eating in a clearing are feeding on edge growth like shrubs, weeds and leafy plants. In wooded areas, these animals feed on woody plants, nuts and leaves.

    Opportunistic Eaters

    • Deer are also considered opportunistic eaters. This means deer will eat foods like agricultural crops and fruits in addition to what they find naturally growing in their mixed hardwood habitats. These animals venture into gardens or fields to eat corn, wheat, carrots, beets and even soybeans. Deer enjoy the same sorts of fruits that humans do, such as strawberries. Apple orchards also attract wild deer.

    Seasonal Diets

    • Deer are required to change their diets with the seasons. In warm months, deer feed on weeds like dandelions and ragweed. Clover is another dietary option in the spring. The fresh, new growth and leafy plants that are available and eaten in the spring are exchanged for nuts like acorns in the fall. Muscadines and persimmons are also acceptable sources of food for a deer at the end of summer. During the winter when there is no green growth, deer have to rely on woody plants for sustenance.