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Project Noah Nature School
Odocoileus virginianus
A young (1 1/2 to 2 1/2-year-old) buck dubbed OH aka One-Horn
Prairie grasses surrounded by woods and farm fields
OH or One-Horn is a rare exception to young, White-tailed buck behavior. He's the most gentle, calm teenage buck I've met to date. While Dennis, Tiny G. and to a smaller degree Prancer act unpredictably and to some degree aggressively towards young does and fawns, OH remains calm and passive. I've never seen him rear-up with hoofs flailing, jab with his antlers or hoof-slap except to defend himself against the initiated attacks of Dennis or Tiny G.. More often than not, I find him traveling with another passive buck dubbed Daddy or with does and their fawns from this spring. Still being a buck, the does give him space or respect but without the jumpiness or fear I see them exhibit around the other bucks.
Spotted on Jan 16, 2013
Submitted on Jan 19, 2013
6 Comments
Maria dB-Thank you I don't have a biology degree but there are some very distinct differences as well as some subtle differences. Not sure if they'd warrant a subspecies classification but would be interested in knowing "what" does or would warrant that branch to grow... :-)
Janelle, I think that is a great way to post. I've been following a family of deer since 2007 and you do get to know their individual personalities, habits, etc. They don't really warrant a sub-species from my perspective but I think observer "citizen scientists" like us can gather a lot of information on their behaviors. Thanks!
Carol Milne-Thank you!! I usually try not to show them with their tongues hanging out, eyes closed or whatever but...OH is just so darn sweet and has such a cuteness about him, I couldn't resist sharing just one that mimics his nick name OH. "-)
Maria dB-Thank you!! I spend so many hours observing and photographing them I thought it might be better to feature individuals and their individual personalities than "Deer" in general. Not unlike domestic cows, horses, cats or dogs, they each have individual personalities and appearances. We call all our deer White-tailed Deer however they have marked differences in appearance so...it makes me wonder if we're lumping them all together into one classification Like Broad-winged Damselflies instead of: River Jewelwing, Superb Jewelwing, Appalachian Jewelwing, Sparkling Jewelwing, Ebony Jewelwing, American Rubyspot, Smoky Rubyspot or Canyon Rubyspot? Perhaps the differences I'm seeing are only family or genetic trait differences and don't constitute major or large enough differences to warrant their own sub-species or category? Rambling. Sorry. :-)
Funny last photo too. So cute! Congratulations on all your awesome deer photos.
Great description of his behavior!