If you’re wondering, “Do deer hibernate?” Don’t worry. Many curious folks just like you have been puzzled by the same question.
You may also wonder, “Do deer migrate?” Is that their secret to winter survival? Does that explain how they emerge from the bitter cold freeze of the winter months year after year?
How can deer survive long, harsh winters that would surely kill frail humans like you and I anyways? How do those elusive bucks brave the elements every winter to show up on our trail cameras the following spring? What’s their secret?
These are all valid questions that have been asked for ages, and we’re here to give you some straightforward answers.
Do Deer Hibernate?
No, they don’t.
Unlike bears, squirrels, prairie dogs, and many other animals that hibernate to escape the winter, deer tough it out for the coldest months. When the mercury drops below freezing, deer still deal with everything Mother Nature can throw at them.
This proves that deer are tough, hardy, and resilient creatures. Maybe this is why they are so darn tricky to hunt. (At least, that’s the excuse I’ll make for myself this upcoming bow-hunting season if I go home empty-handed again.)
So, Do Deer Migrate?
Yes, they do!
Well, some deer migrate under certain circumstances, at least. The answer to this question depends on a few variables:
- The type of deer
- What kind of habitat does the deer reside
- The available resources for the deer as the seasons change
- How harsh the winter weather is where they reside
For example, American whitetails that reside east of the Rocky Mountains tend to stay predictably close to home during the winter. Their home turf’s flatter and less variable terrain gives them less reason to seek out greener pastures when temperatures drop.
But western whitetails and mule deer migrate in the winter and almost always do so in herds. Whereas higher mountain elevations can be their ally in the summer months (to escape hunters and seek shelter), they must descend in elevation once winter creeps in to find warmer temperatures and available food to survive.
Want to know more about deer migration patterns? Here’s a great resource.
How Do Deer Stay Warm & Survive the Winter?
So, if deer don’t hibernate, how do they survive the brutal cold of a February freeze? As we just learned, some of them migrate to more habitable environments, but there are other factors that help keep them alive, as well.
They Build Up Fat Stores in the Fall
During the fall months, deer gorge themselves as much as possible to store as much body fat as possible in anticipation for winter. By the time winter rolls in, an adult deer’s fat reserves can be up to about 30% of their overall body mass.
These fat reserves help keep their vital organs warm and also provide energy as temperatures drop and sustenance becomes scarce. Ever gorge yourself on fatty food during Thanksgiving and Christmas and emerge during the New Year with a bigger belly and larger love handles?
You’re mimicking deer in the winter by raising your fat reserves! Congratulations, you properly prepared yourself to survive another winter.
They Shed Their Summer Coat for a Thicker Winter Coat
Aside from fattening up in September and October, deer start shedding their reddish summer coat and in favor of grayish-brown winter fur, complete with a dense and insulating undercoat.
The deer’s newfound insulation combines with their high body fat content to keep them warm and safe, even as temperatures drop below zero.
This is akin to you putting on a down jacket (to accompany your dense underlayer of holiday body fat) and braving a snowstorm to go grab the newspaper from the driveway.
Sort of.
Deer Slow Down Drastically as the Temperature Drops
As you and I tend to move slower when winter falls, so do deer.
By minimizing their movement during the colder months, deer conserve as much body fat as possible to keep their vital organs warm and prevent them from running out of fat reserves. If deer were to move briskly as they do in the spring and summer, they’d run the risk of freezing to death or depleting their energy reserves.
It’s also worth noting that food is far less abundant for deer in the winter, so these creatures have a built-in excuse to slow down and calculate their every move instead of gleefully grazing for food all day.
They Seek Out Shelter to Brave the Elements
What would you do if you got stuck in a blizzard in the middle of the forest with nothing but a down jacket and a hearty layer of body fat underneath?
You’d probably try to find some other humans and seek refuge somewhere that’s as protected from the elements as possible. Whether that be a cave, underneath some deadfall, or a lower elevation with better weather, survival instincts would naturally push you toward safety.
So, it should come as no surprise that deer react similarly when harsh weather forces their hand. They herd up and seek out densely forested areas that provide cover from the elements, south-facing slopes that provide shelter from the wind and exposure to the sun, and lower elevations that offer warmer temperatures and less inclement weather.
Final Thoughts on Deer Hibernation & Surviving the Winter
You came here asking, “Do deer hibernate?” and you’ll be leaving with some new knowledge. Let’s summarize everything you learned.
Deer do not hibernate, unlike many other mammals that share the same habitats. They’re resilient and clever creatures that tough out the brutal cold with the best of them.
Some deer migrate when the temperatures drop. Such deer are usually whitetails and muleys that inhabit the Rocky Mountains and West. Why? Because the high elevations that are so friendly during the summer become cold, bitter, and fruitless during the winter months.
Deer change their physical makeup and behave differently to survive the winter. They build up stores of body fat, grow winter coats, slow down their movement, and seek out shelter to live another spring (kind of like you!).
Thanks for stopping by! For more information on deer and elk and the bounty they offer, check out one of the links below.
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