Key Deer Page

            The Key deer is related to the white-tailed deer. It is the smallest of  the white-tailed deer. Only the male deer have antlers. Their antlers drop in February-March, they re-grow them  so  that in June, you can see stubs that are 2 inches. They are done growing their antlers   by August. Key deers can have a little bit of salt in their water, and will drink brackish water. But in order to keep alive they need some fresh water. Breeding season is in September and decreases through out November and December. They carry their babies for about 204 days. Fawns are born in April through June.  When fawns are born they weigh 2-4 pounds. No records exist telling where the Key deer is from, but they think its  from Mainland but they are not sure. In the 1940's less than 50 Key deers where alive, putting them on the endangered list! But now it's estimated that about 250 Key deers exist ! That's a big improvement! But Key deers are often killed by cars. In Winter they depend on fat in their bodies to keep warm and to eat. In the Spring the  coat that they used for the Winter is shedded. In Fall their is much food available. The Key deer is the smallest deer in the United States! As we all know many animals have unuaual actions that follow their characteristics. Well, the Key Deer is one of them (that is one reason why I chose to do research on this particular animal)! One of its interesting (and unusual) habits is thet it walks on its tip toes constantly! Also many animals change colors during time periods such as Leopards. Well, believe it or not a Key Deer is the same way! They change from a reddish brown to a grizzled gray. And their horns are made of keratin(the same thing that nails are made of)! That  is some of its unusual habits. Key Deers are sometimes running for their lives while being hunted down by dangerous predators, such as dogs, Golden Eagles, hunters and ... cars! Yes, thats right many vehicles kill these harmless animals each year. I just hope that they do not become extinct! The 1940's have passed and I hope now that all these years had passed that people have learned to drive carefuly  in THE BIG PINE KEY AREA!