In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Endangered Species Act, (Dec, 1973) lets take a look at another animal that has directly benefited from this important legislation-the Key Deer.
The Key Deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is a subspecies of the familiar Virginia White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). It is one of 28 subspecies of deer and is the smallest race of deer in North America. An average adult stands 2 feet tall at the shoulders. Bucks (males) average 80 lbs and Does (females) average 65 lbs. In all other respects these deer appear like the deer that visit your backyard, only much smaller.
The Key Deer occur only on a few select islands or “keys” located in southern Florida. They require Pine Rockland habitat, which is composed of several species of pine tree on what amounts to be the highest elevation (several feet above sea level) of each island. Fresh water seems to be the limiting factor in where the deer thrive. After heavy rains, depression in the ground collect the fresh rainwater which is critical to the deer’s survival.
I recently meet up with Shane Whisenant, the Key Deer Biologist at the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key, Florida. Shane is a man with a passion for the Key Deer. He explained to me that the National Key Deer Refuge was established in 1957 when it was discovered that the total population of the Key Deer had fallen to about 27 total animals. Unlimited hunting and habitat destruction were presumably the factors leading to the decline of this tiny deer.
Today, nearly 50 years later, the Key Deer is on the rebound, thanks to specific habitat management such as prescribed burns to open the forest and thus providing a source of native grasses for the deer to feed upon and the restoration of freshwater pools.
The biology of the Key Deer is similar to that of its larger counter part in the Midwest. The life span is around 7-8 years, with most females breeding at one or two years of age. Bucks don’t start mating until they are slightly older and have developed large antlers and are able to compete against the other bucks. The rut takes place in September through November. Gestation is about 7 months with most Does giving birth to twins in April or May.
Hunting of the Key Deer is prohibited, however about 100-150 deer are killed each year. Most deaths are due to being hit by cars or killed by domestic dogs. In 2003, 137 deer were lost, 91 of them to automobile collisions. Both of these causes of mortality are something the staff at the National Key Deer Refuge is activity working to reduce. And I am sure, if the rest of the staff is as caring and knowledgeable as Shane Whisenant, the Key Deer are in good hands.
Do yourself a favor. Next time you are visiting southern Florida. Make a trip to Big Pine Key (part of the chain of islands known as the Florida Keys) to see these wonderful animals. They come out along the roadsides late in the day and can be observed from your car. Please don’t attempt to feed or touch the deer. This only encourages the deer to come closer to the roads. And the last thing they need is to be closer to a collision with a car..