The common name refers to the tail; it is brown above and white below.
White-tailed deer vary in size depending on the habitat in which they
occur. Adult male deer in Florida average 115 pounds while the smaller
females average 90 pounds. The Key deer subspecies http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/key-deer/ (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is notably smaller, averaging just 27 inches at the shoulders and weighing 80 pounds.
Throughout most of the year it's easy to tell males from females on sight.
The males, or bucks, have antlers; they grow a new set every year. Antler
growth begins in the spring, and by the summer the antlers are covered
with a velvety tissue that dries up and peels off. The buck rubs the
antlers against trees, which eventually removes the remaining velvet,
leaving the antlers hard and smooth. Antlers are shed in late winter or
early spring.
It is important to avoid contact with fawns. Although the fawns are able
to run and follow the doe shortly after birth, the wobbly-legged fawn
protects itself from predators by hiding in tall grass near the doe for
their first few weeks. The fawns have no scent and during this time the
mother deer limits contact with her fawn, except to nurse, so that her
scent will not attract predators and mark the fawn's hiding place. After
3-4 weeks, the fawn begins to accompany the doe as she forages. The brown
fur, with white spots, provides excellent camouflage for the fawn. So if
you approach a fawn and it does not flee please leave it alone. You can
be assured that its mother is not far away. Female deer never abandon
their fawns unless they are forced to by repeated disturbance or
harassment!
Habitat:
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be found throughout Florida
from the panhandle to the keys.
Behavior:
When deer are alarmed, the tails are held erect and waved back and forth
like a flag, signaling a warning to other deer.
Deer usually rest during the daylight hours and are most active between
dawn and dusk. White-tailed deer are primarily browsers, feeding on the
leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits of trees, shrubs, and forbs. When
they are nervous, deer will stomp a foot and snort, just before running
off. Because deer are browsers, they may occasionally damage planted
shrubs and landscaping.
