Deer

George A. Feldhamer is a professor of zoology at Southern Illinois University. He is coeditor of Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology and Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation; and coauthor of Mammals of the National Parks, all published by Johns Hopkins. William J. McShea is a research scientist at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and senior editor of The Science of Overabundance: Deer Ecology and Population Management and Oak Forest Ecosystems: Ecology and Management for Wildlife, the latter also published by Johns Hopkins.

With vivid color photographs and an accessible and engaging question-and-answer format, this easy-to read book is the go-to resource on deer. Nature lovers, hunters, and anyone curious about deer will find this fact-filled book both fascinating and full of surprises. Southeastern Naturalist A nice book to read. -- Robert E. Hoopes Wildlife Activist This introductory work translates scientific studies/terminology into an easy-to-read format for lay readers to gain an understanding of the Cervidae family. Choice Hunters, nature lovers, and anyone curious abot deer will enjoy reading this book. -- Evelyne Bremond-Hoslet Mammalia

• AcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Introducing DeerWhat are deer?What is the difference between bucks, stags, and bulls?How many kinds of deer are there?How are musk deer different from "true" deer?What are the most common species of deer?What species of deer are most rare?Why are deer important?Where do deer live?What is the current classification of deer?What characterizes the major groups of deer?When did deer evolve?What is the oldest fossil deer?2. Form and FunctionWhat are the largest and smallest living deer?What is the metabolism of deer?What is the structure and function of deer teeth?Can deer see color?Can deer swim?How fast can deer run?How high can deer jump?What are antlers?What determines antler size in an individual?Why do deer have antlers?Do all male deer have antlers?Do female deer ever have antlers?Why do female caribou usually have antlers?How do antlers differ from horns?What is the yearly cycle of antlers?When and how do antlers grow?How fast can antlers grow?Do antlers of tropical deer differ from those of temperate species?How large and heavy can antlers get?How are antlers shed?Why shed antlers and regrow them every year?Why are relatively few shed antlers found on the ground?Are antlers always symmetrical?How do antler anomalies occur?How did antlers evolve?3. Deer Coat ColorsWhat are the functions of the coat in deer?What causes the different coat colors of deer?How are hair colors determined genetically?What about patterns of coat color?Are there age-related differences in coat color?Do coat colors change in different seasons?Is there geographic variation in coat color within a given species?4. Deer BehaviorAre deer social?Do deer fight?How smary are deer?Do deer play?Do deer talk?How do deer avoid predators?5. Deer EcologyDo deer sleep in the same place each night?Do deer migrate?Which geographic regions have the most species of deer?How do deer survive in the desert or during droughts?How do deer survive the winter?Do deer have enemies?Do deer get sick?Are deer good for the environment?6. Reproduction and DevelopmentHow do deer reproduce?When do deer mate and give birth?Do deer breed only one time per year?How many fawns do deer have?Are all deer fawns full siblings?Can the sex of a deer be determined visually?Do deer care for their young?How fast do deer grow?How can you tell the age of a deer?How long do deer live?7. Foods and FeedingWhat do deer eat?How do deer find food?Are any deer scavengers?How do deer digest their food?Do deer store food?8. Deer and HumansDo deer make good pets?Should people feed deer?Do deer feel pain?What should I do if I find an injured deer?What should I do if I find a fawn?What is the best way to observe deer?How economically important are deer today?What are deer game farms and game ranches?How and where did deer farms begin?What parts of deer are used in traditional Asian medicine?9. Deer Problems (from a human viewpoint)Can deer be pests?How do I reduce deer damage?How many deer are hit by vehicles?Where are deer most often hit?What are ways to reduce deer-vehicle collisions?Do deer have diseases that are contagious?Can deer negatively affect forest regeneration and structure?How can exotic species of deer cause problems?Where have deer been introduced?Why introduce deer to different places?10. Human Problems (from a deer's viewpoint)Do people hunt and eat deer?Are any deer species endangered?What is so unusual about the endangered Père David's deer?What about other conservation efforts?Why are some species endangered while others reach pest proportions?How will deer be affected by global warming?11. Deer in Art and LiteratureWhat roles do deer play in art, religion, mythology, and popular culture?How have deer been incorporated into literature andpoetry?12. "Deerology"Who studies deer?What species are best known?What species are least known?How do scientists tell deer apart?Appendix A: Deer of the WorldAppendix B: Deer Conservation OrganizationsBibliographyIndex