Deer are herbivores, meaning they eat only plants. Their diet consists of a wide variety of vegetation, including grasses, leaves, twigs, buds, and fruits. The specific items that deer eat will vary depending on the season, the habitat, and the availability of food.
In the spring, deer typically eat new leaves, buds, and flowers. As the weather warms and vegetation grows, they will begin to eat more grasses and herbs. In the summer, deer will often feed on fruits and berries. In the fall, they will eat nuts, acorns, and other mast. In the winter, when food is scarce, deer will eat twigs, bark, and even lichens.
In addition to their regular diet, deer will also occasionally eat soil, bones, and antlers. This is thought to be a way for them to obtain essential minerals and nutrients that are not available in their regular diet.
Deer Diet
Deer are herbivores with a varied diet.
- Grasses
- Leaves
- Twigs
- Buds
- Fruits
- Berries
- Nuts
Deer also occasionally eat soil, bones, and antlers for essential minerals and nutrients.
Grasses
Grasses are a major part of a deer's diet, especially in the spring and summer months when they are fresh and nutritious.
- Cool-season grasses:
These grasses grow best in the cooler months of the year. Examples include Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, and ryegrass.
- Warm-season grasses:
These grasses grow best in the warmer months of the year. Examples include Bermuda grass, zoysiagrass, and buffalo grass.
- Sedges and rushes:
These grass-like plants are also eaten by deer. Sedges have solid stems, while rushes have hollow stems.
- Grasses and fire:
Deer often benefit from prescribed burns and wildfires. These events can create new growth of grasses and other plants that deer love to eat.
Deer will often graze in open areas such as fields and meadows. They will also eat grasses that are growing along the edges of forests and roads.
Leaves
Deer also love to eat leaves. They will eat the leaves of a wide variety of trees and shrubs, including:
- Maple trees:
Deer love the leaves of maple trees, especially in the fall when they turn a beautiful red or orange color.
- Oak trees:
Oak leaves are another favorite of deer. They are high in protein and other nutrients.
- Aspen trees:
Aspen leaves are a good source of food for deer in the winter when other food is scarce.
- Shrubs:
Deer will also eat the leaves of many different types of shrubs, including honeysuckle, viburnum, and dogwood.
Deer will often browse on leaves that are within reach. They may also climb trees to reach higher leaves.
Twigs
Deer will also eat twigs, especially in the winter when other food is scarce. Twigs are a good source of fiber and other nutrients. Deer will often browse on twigs that are within reach. They may also use their antlers to break off twigs from higher branches.
Some of the trees and shrubs that deer are known to eat the twigs of include:
- Maple trees
- Oak trees
- Aspen trees
- Birch trees
- Willow trees
- Honeysuckle shrubs
- Viburnum shrubs
- Dogwood shrubs
Deer will often target young trees and shrubs, as their twigs are more tender and easier to eat. Deer can also cause damage to trees and shrubs by browsing on their twigs. This can stunt the growth of the plants and make them more susceptible to disease and pests.
To protect trees and shrubs from deer browse, you can use a variety of methods, such as:
- Erecting a fence around the plants
- Applying deer repellent to the plants
- Planting deer-resistant plants
By taking these steps, you can help to protect your plants from deer damage.
Buds
Deer also love to eat buds. Buds are the new growth on trees and shrubs. They are high in protein and other nutrients. Deer will often browse on buds that are within reach. They may also use their antlers to break off buds from higher branches.
Some of the trees and shrubs that deer are known to eat the buds of include:
- Maple trees
- Oak trees
- Aspen trees
- Birch trees
- Willow trees
- Honeysuckle shrubs
- Viburnum shrubs
- Dogwood shrubs
Deer can cause significant damage to trees and shrubs by browsing on their buds. This can stunt the growth of the plants and make them more susceptible to disease and pests. In some cases, deer browsing can even kill a tree or shrub.
To protect trees and shrubs from deer browse, you can use a variety of methods, such as:
- Erecting a fence around the plants
- Applying deer repellent to the plants
- Planting deer-resistant plants
By taking these steps, you can help to protect your plants from deer damage.
Deer browsing on buds can also have a negative impact on the environment. When deer eat too many buds, it can prevent trees and shrubs from reproducing. This can lead to a decline in the population of these plants, which can have a ripple effect on other animals that rely on them for food and habitat.
Fruits
Deer also love to eat fruits. Fruits are a good source of sugar, vitamins, and minerals. Deer will eat a wide variety of fruits, including:
- Apples
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Grapes
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Acorns
- Nuts
Deer will often eat fruits that have fallen to the ground. They may also climb trees to reach fruits that are growing higher up. Deer can cause significant damage to fruit trees and shrubs by eating the fruits. This can reduce the yield of fruit for the grower.
To protect fruit trees and shrubs from deer browse, you can use a variety of methods, such as:
- Erecting a fence around the plants
- Applying deer repellent to the plants
- Planting deer-resistant plants
By taking these steps, you can help to protect your fruit trees and shrubs from deer damage.
Deer browsing on fruits can also have a negative impact on the environment. When deer eat too many fruits, it can prevent trees and shrubs from reproducing. This can lead to a decline in the population of these plants, which can have a ripple effect on other animals that rely on them for food and habitat.
Berries
Deer also love to eat berries. Berries are a good source of sugar, vitamins, and minerals. Deer will eat a wide variety of berries, including:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Elderberries
- Huckleberries
- Lingonberries
- Cranberries
- Juniper berries
- Mistletoe berries
Deer will often eat berries that have fallen to the ground. They may also climb shrubs and trees to reach berries that are growing higher up. Deer can cause significant damage to berry bushes and trees by eating the berries. This can reduce the yield of berries for the grower.
To protect berry bushes and trees from deer browse, you can use a variety of methods, such as:
- Erecting a fence around the plants
- Applying deer repellent to the plants
- Planting deer-resistant plants
By taking these steps, you can help to protect your berry bushes and trees from deer damage.
Deer browsing on berries can also have a negative impact on the environment. When deer eat too many berries, it can prevent shrubs and trees from reproducing. This can lead to a decline in the population of these plants, which can have a ripple effect on other animals that rely on them for food and habitat.
Nuts
Deer also love to eat nuts. Nuts are a good source of protein, fat, and other nutrients. Deer will eat a wide variety of nuts, including:
- Acorns
- Walnuts
- Hickory nuts
- Pecans
- Butternuts
- Chestnuts
- Hazelnuts
- Beechnuts
- Pine nuts
- Pistachios
Deer will often eat nuts that have fallen to the ground. They may also climb trees to reach nuts that are growing higher up. Deer can cause significant damage to nut trees by eating the nuts. This can reduce the yield of nuts for the grower.
To protect nut trees from deer browse, you can use a variety of methods, such as:
- Erecting a fence around the trees
- Applying deer repellent to the trees
- Planting deer-resistant trees
By taking these steps, you can help to protect your nut trees from deer damage.
Deer browsing on nuts can also have a negative impact on the environment. When deer eat too many nuts, it can prevent trees from reproducing. This can lead to a decline in the population of these trees, which can have a ripple effect on other animals that rely on them for food and habitat.
FAQ
Do you still have questions about what deer eat? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers:
Question 1: What is a deer's favorite food?
Answer 1: Deer are browsers, which means they eat a wide variety of plants. Their favorite foods include grasses, leaves, twigs, buds, fruits, berries, and nuts.
Question 2: What do deer eat in the spring?
Answer 2: In the spring, deer typically eat new leaves, buds, and flowers.
Question 3: What do deer eat in the summer?
Answer 3: In the summer, deer will often eat grasses, fruits, and berries.
Question 4: What do deer eat in the fall?
Answer 4: In the fall, deer will eat nuts, acorns, and other mast.
Question 5: What do deer eat in the winter?
Answer 5: In the winter, when food is scarce, deer will eat twigs, bark, and even lichens.
Question 6: What are some of the negative impacts of deer browsing?
Answer 6: Deer browsing can damage trees and shrubs, reduce the yield of fruit and nut trees, and negatively impact the environment by preventing plants from reproducing.
Question 7: What are some ways to protect plants from deer browse?
Answer 7: There are a variety of ways to protect plants from deer browse, such as erecting a fence around the plants, applying deer repellent, and planting deer-resistant plants.
I hope this helps to answer your questions about what deer eat. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.
In addition to the information provided in this article, here are some additional tips for keeping deer away from your plants:
Tips
Here are some practical tips for keeping deer away from your plants:
Tip 1: Erect a fence.
A fence is one of the most effective ways to keep deer out of your garden or yard. The fence should be at least 8 feet tall and made of a sturdy material, such as wood, metal, or plastic.
Tip 2: Apply deer repellent.
There are a variety of commercial deer repellents available. These repellents can be applied to plants or around the perimeter of your property. Be sure to follow the directions on the product label.
Tip 3: Plant deer-resistant plants.
Some plants are less palatable to deer than others. When choosing plants for your garden or yard, consider planting deer-resistant varieties.
Tip 4: Remove attractants.
Deer are attracted to certain things, such as food scraps, pet food, and bird feeders. Be sure to remove these attractants from your property to make it less appealing to deer.
By following these tips, you can help to protect your plants from deer damage.
In addition to the tips provided in this article, there are a number of other things you can do to keep deer away from your plants. With a little effort, you can keep your plants safe and healthy.
Conclusion
Deer are fascinating creatures with a diverse diet. They are able to adapt to a wide range of habitats and find food in a variety of places. However, deer can also be a nuisance to humans, especially when they damage our gardens and crops.
By understanding what deer eat, we can take steps to protect our plants from damage. We can also create deer-friendly landscapes that provide them with the food and shelter they need to survive.
In conclusion, deer are an important part of our natural world. By learning more about their diet and behavior, we can better appreciate these amazing animals and find ways to coexist with them peacefully.