Grasses: A large portion of their diet, especially during the summer months.
Forbs: These are broad-leaved plants, like wildflowers, clover, and other herbs.
Twigs and Branches: They eat these in the winter when other food sources are scarce.
Fruits and Berries: These are a valuable source of energy and nutrients.
Mushrooms and Lichens: They sometimes eat these, particularly in the fall and winter.
Seasonal Variations:
* Summer: They focus on grasses, forbs, and leaves.
* Fall: They transition to browsing on twigs and branches, with some fruits and berries.
* Winter: They rely heavily on twigs and branches, as well as bark.
* Spring: They start to eat fresh grasses and forbs as they emerge.
Differences between Deer and Elk:
* Elk tend to be bigger than deer and have larger digestive systems, allowing them to eat a greater amount of lower-quality food like grasses.
* Deer are more adaptable and can survive on a wider variety of food sources, including more twigs and branches.
Important Note: Deer and elk are ruminants, which means they have a multi-chambered stomach. They chew their food, swallow it, and then regurgitate it back to chew it again, aiding in digestion.