A deer is a baby until it's a year old.It is called a yearling after that.There are a number of ways that you can determine the age of a deer at a distance.Guess the deer's weight.wobbly legs are an indicator of newborn babies.If there are any spots left in the coat, take a closer look.It is an older deer.If you see an injured or abandoned deer, you should reach out to a wildlife rehabilitator.
Step 1: Look for wobbly legs.
Although a deer can stand after birth, they are shaky and need to take frequent sitting breaks.The wobbliness will last until they are 4 weeks old.They will be less likely to fall or trip when running at that point.
Step 2: They have a coat pattern.
A baby deer will be brown all over.There are white spots on each side of their back.The white spots will gradually disappear as the deer matures.A grayish, thicker winter coat will fade away the reddish-brown.A young deer has a variety of white spots over the rest of its coat.Most deer lose their spots around October.
Step 3: Estimate a deer's weight.
At birth, most fawns weigh less than 10 pounds.After birth, they will gain weight.A deer will weigh between 75 and 85 pounds at 6 months.Most deer will weigh over 90 pounds at 1 year of age.You can get an idea of a deer's age by looking at their body build and size.Within the first 2 weeks, most deer will double their birth weight.
Step 4: There is antler growth in the deer.
At around 4 months old, male deer will start to develop their pedicles.Two hardened areas can be seen if you look at or feel a male deer.At 7 months of age, the points will be more noticeable.The deer needs a lot of energy to grow.Because of this, stressed or deficient deer may not grow antlers until later.
Step 5: Feel for an injured body.
If you can get close enough to touch it, run your hand under its stomach.If the baby is less than a week old, you will feel a lump on its stomach.The scab will fall off after a week.
Step 6: Take a look at their teeth.
The teeth of a deer can tell you a lot about its age.A deer has four teeth when it is born.They will grow premolars and incisors after 2 months.When a deer is 1.5 years old, it will have a full set of adult teeth.
Step 7: It's a good idea to watch for hiding behaviors.
A baby deer is usually able to stand within a half-hour.The mother deer hides the baby deer for up to a week.If you see a small deer covered in leaves or bushes, it is likely stashed there by the mother deer, who will return at night.Older deer are more willing to move out in the open.After the initial week of hiding, they are more likely to join a larger deer herd.When a doe has twins, they usually hide each one in a different spot.This makes it less likely that a predator will find something.
Step 8: Freeze or flight behaviors can be observed.
If you approach or startle a baby deer that is less than a week old, it is likely to die in the cold.Even if you try to pet it, it will not move.If approached, fawns that are a week old will flee.They will show a flight instinct.
Step 9: The mom will return.
It is likely that the baby is less than 3 weeks old if you see a female deer at night.The mom and deer will meet in the same spot until the baby is ready to look for his own.At 3 weeks of age, the meetings will cease as the deer wanders around looking for food.The system of telling a deer's age isn't perfect because some of them nurse without receiving milk as part of the mother-fawn bonding process.There are wild fruits and mushrooms.
Step 10: Expect babies in the spring or summer.
The deer breed mates in the late fall and early December.The babies are born in the early spring and summer.You are not likely to see a young deer in the winter.You can assume that the deer you see in the summer is young.The late summer and fall months are more difficult to survive in the winter.In the lower U.S. South, deer give birth on a more flexible seasonal schedule.
Step 11: You can call a wildlife rehabilitator.
If you see a deer that is injured or in need of medical care, you can contact your local parks department or search online for a wildlife rehabilitation center near you.You can find a rehabilitator by entering your city name into a search engine.If you leave a phone message, most rehabbers will respond quickly.
Step 12: There are signs of an abandoned animal.
If the deer has accumulated fecal matter on its backside, it is likely alone and without a mother to clean it.If the deer is older and has no flight response, then it may be abandoned.Along the side of a deer's ear is where you can run your hands.A dehydrated and abandoned deer's ear might feel rough to the touch.
Step 13: Provide assistance to the deer.
Before a rehabber arrives, you may need to take care of an injured or abandoned deer.The crate is lined with towels.There is a heating pad in the back of the crate.Try to give the deer 50% water and 50% Pedialyte.Don't force the deer to take liquids.If you give cow's milk to a deer, it will upset its stomach.
Step 14: It's a good idea to minimize your scent.
A mother deer will try to keep her deer as scent-free as possible.If you handle a deer, wear gloves.You can rub the towel on the back of the deer.Any trace of your scent will be replaced by this.