How do white tailed deer care for their young?

1. Nursing

* Doe deer produce milk for their fawns for up to 3-4 months, but fawns typically begin to wean at around 2 months of age.

* Fawns nurse frequently during their first few weeks of life, but they gradually begin to nurse less often as they start to eat solid foods.

2. Grooming

* Mother deer lick their fawns to keep them clean and to help stimulate their circulation.

* Fawns also learn to groom themselves by watching their mothers.

3. Bedding

* Mother deer create a safe and comfortable bed for their fawns out of leaves, grass, and other vegetation.

* Fawns typically stay in their beds during the day and only come out to nurse or explore.

4. Protection

* Mother deer are very protective of their fawns and will defend them from predators.

* They may chase away predators, stamp their hooves, or make a loud snorting sound to warn their fawns of danger.

* Fawns also have a natural camouflage that helps them to blend in with their surroundings and hide from predators.

5. Teaching

* Mother deer teach their fawns how to survive in the wild by demonstrating various behaviors and providing them with opportunities to practice.

* Fawns learn how to find food, avoid predators, and navigate their environment by observing and interacting with their mothers.