We are excited to announce that we have a mama deer and her baby living in Baxter Woods! For the safety of the deer and your dogs, please keep your dog on leash at all times. Our current 8ft Leash Law is in effect until August 1st. “A mother deer has very sharp hooves. If she thinks her baby is in danger, she will try to defend that baby, putting your dog at risk” Ranger Mike.
If you are lucky enough to encounter our urban mammal friends, please:
DO NOT approach the deer
DO NOT feed the deer
DO let them have their own space
DO observe from a distance
5 Facts about White-tailed Deer:
The phrase “to fawn over somebody” comes from the way mother deer, or does, take care of their baby deer, or fawn. We haven’t seen male deer, or bucks, yet, because this time of year, does and bucks don’t really hang out together.
Like dogs, White-tailed deer use their tails to communicate with other deer. However, when you see a white-tailed deer with their tail up and wagging, it usually means that they are on high alert. If you see this, use caution, it might mean they are nervous.
White-tailed deer have 4 different compartments in their stomach, used to process food.
White-tailed deer are crepuscular- meaning they are active at dusk and dawn.
White-tailed deer are natural athletes. A full grown adult can run at speeds of about 30 mph, can jump over things that are 8 ft tall, and can jump as far as 30 feet in one leap. They are also strong swimmers and can swim from the mainland to our islands in Casco Bay.
#deersighting #cityofportlandmaine #mayorbaxterwoods #parks #parkrangers #parkrangersrock