Skip to Content

This Deer Clearly Had Enough Of Being Harassed

deer
Image by @touronsofnationalparks via Instagram

What an interesting day on the beach. This poor deer is doing its thing and everyone is crowding it and trying to get in its space to take a photo. Let’s see how the moment unfolds.

The Start

deer
Image by @touronsofnationalparks via Instagram

The moment caught on camera starts off fairly relaxed. The main character approaches the weary deer and extends a hand. We can assume he is trying to make a friend and get a photo close to the wild animal.

An Unsurprising Surprise

deer
Image by @touronsofnationalparks via Instagram

Most deer wouldn’t respond like this. The ones I have witness are usually quite scottish and run away at potential danger. I would not have expected the deer to launch an attack.

Relentless

deer
Image by @touronsofnationalparks via Instagram

Even though this behaviour was unexpected, I think we can safely assume it is not surprising. If you were alone on a beach and had a crowd surrounding you, trying to take photos – I am sure you would feel quite threatened as well.

Attempt To Back Down

deer
Image by @touronsofnationalparks via Instagram

Our main character went from attempting to pose with the deer, to trying to back away. Unfortunately nothing was helping his case. The deer knocked him down and he should have stayed down. Everytime he got up, the deer felt more threatened and went back for more.

A Little Girl To The Rescue

deer
Image by @touronsofnationalparks via Instagram

Watching him struggle, a young girl came to his aid. Moreover she approached with a paddle, thinking it would deter the animal. Yet the deer was not too phased by the girl with a paddle. The scene seemed quite comical.

The Rescue

deer
Image by @touronsofnationalparks via Instagram

Lastly, after realising the man wasn’t going to give up and the deer was determined to make an example out of him, a guy on the beach picked up the paddle and charged over. Finally the deer relented and moved off, leaving the situation behind.

What do deer eat?

White-tailed deer. Image via Depositphotos

Deer primarily eat plants. Their diet includes leaves, grass, fruits, and nuts. In the winter, they may eat bark and twigs when other food is scarce.

How long do deer live?

A white-tailed deer fawn standing on a hill. Image via Depositphotos

Deer in the wild usually live for 6 to 14 years. Their lifespan can be influenced by factors like predation, disease, and availability of food.

Do deer migrate?

White-tailed deer. Image via Depositphotos

Some species of deer migrate to find food or better living conditions. For example, mule deer in North America often move between higher and lower elevations with the seasons.

How do deer communicate?

key deer
A Key deer fawn. Ianaré Sévi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Deer communicate through vocalizations, body language, and scent marking. They use grunts, bleats, and snorts to convey messages, and rub their antlers or scent glands to mark territory.

What are antlers made of?

white tailed deer
Image by Camerauthor Photos via Unsplash

Antlers are made of bone. They grow from pedicles on the deer’s skull and are shed and regrown each year. They are initially covered in velvet, a soft tissue.

Why do male deer have antlers?

white tailed deer
Image by Acton Crawford via Unsplash

Male deer grow antlers primarily for mating purposes. They use them to fight other males for dominance and the right to mate with females during the breeding season.

How fast can deer run?

white tailed deer
Image by Robert Woeger via Unsplash

Deer are capable of running at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. This speed helps them escape from predators. They are also agile and can make quick, sharp turns.

Do deer have good eyesight?

White tailed deer
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus nelsoni) female with fawns, Orange Walk, Belize. Image via Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Deer have good eyesight, especially in low light conditions. Their eyes are positioned on the sides of their head, giving them a wide field of view to detect predators.

How do deer care for their young?

White-tailed deer. Image via Depositphotos

Female deer, or does, care for their fawns by keeping them hidden in tall grass or dense vegetation. They nurse them and stay close to protect them from predators.

What is a deer’s habitat?

White-tailed deer. Image via Depositphotos

Deer can live in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. They are adaptable and can thrive in areas with adequate food and cover.

How do deer protect themselves from predators?

White-tailed deer. Image via Depositphotos

Deer rely on their speed and agility to escape predators. They are also very alert and use their keen senses of hearing and smell to detect danger.

Are deer social animals?

white tailed deer
Image by Ravi Pinisetti via Unsplash

Deer are generally social animals. They often form groups called herds, which can vary in size depending on the species and time of year. Herds provide safety in numbers.

What is the difference between a deer and an elk?

white tailed deer
Image by Ken Goulding via Unsplash

Deer and elk are different species, with elk being larger and having more prominent antlers. Elk also have a different vocalization, known as bugling, especially during the mating season.

How do deer adapt to winter?

white tailed deer
Image by Tetiana Semenova via Unsplash

Deer grow a thicker coat in the winter to keep warm. They also change their diet to include more woody plants and reduce their activity to conserve energy.

What is the role of deer in the ecosystem?

white tailed deer
Image by Marko Hankkila via Unsplash

Deer play a vital role in their ecosystem. They help control plant growth by grazing, and they serve as prey for predators. Their presence influences the structure of plant communities.

Next up ~

Latest posts by Jen Fitschen, BSc Computer Science and Oceanography (see all)