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Project Noah Nature School
Odocoileus virginianus
Woodland habitat at Sunderbruch Park in Davenport, IA.
While mountain biking, I came quickly around a blind corner where a doe and fawn were milling about on the trail. The doe bolted into the brush, and the fawn did what it was supposed to do. It dropped straight to the ground and froze. I snapped a pic and backed off far enough to keep it in view, but also to warn other riders so the poor thing didn't get ran over. After about 2 minutes, it stumbled to it's feet and went in the same direction as it's mother.
Spotted on Jun 3, 2015
Submitted on Jun 29, 2015
2 Comments
No Sami, it is not dead. A white tailed fawn's defense is to naturally hide. When in fear, it will drop to the ground and freeze in hopes of not being detected by predators. This was an unusual circumstance, as it was not in heavy cover, but on the bike trail. This is called alarm bradycardia. Their hear rate drops to about 60 beats per minute, their breathing slows, and they will not move even when touched. Touching them is certainly not recommended, and observers should back away and leave them alone.
Is it dead