Eastern White-tailed Deer (fawns)

Description:

The fawns are born with a spotted coat that they keep until they grow out their winter coat. They are born without a scent and keep very still during the first week of life, making them nearly invisible to predators.

Habitat:

Mixed wooded areas. These young deer live in a suburban neighborhood.

Notes:

These two fawns have been left in the safety of my fenced backyard while the adults go around the neighborhood and forage ("browse") for the day. This is common and should not be mistaken for abandoning the fawn. The mother typically returns every few hours to check in and feed the young ones, though these were old enough to nibble on plants. These pictures were taken as evening approached. Not long later, the mothers returned accompanied by a small herd. The little ones joined them and they all left to find somewhere else to sleep for the night.