Sally Norton, age 9, of E1 Paso, Texas, for her question:
HOW MANY KINDS OF DEER ARE THERE?
There are more than 60 different kinds of deer. You'll find them living all through North, Central and South America as well as in Asia and Europe. In recent years they have been brought into places where they do not live naturally, including Australia, Hawaii and New Guinea.
Deer are the only animals with bones called antlers on their heads. Antlers are true bones. Horns, found on many other animals, are nothing more than strong, hard layers of skin.
Deer are among the largest of the wild animals found in North America. Largest of all deer is the North American moose. He can grow to be seven and a half feet tall and weigh over 1,800 pounds.
The smallest deer in the world, by the way, is the pudu of western South America.This little animal stands.only one foot high and weighs about 20 pounds.
Most male deer are called bucks, although the male caribu, elk and moose are called bulls. Male red deer are called stags or harts. Most females are called does although the names of cows and hinds are also used. Most young deer are called fawns except for the young caribou, elk and moose which are called calves.
Today most state and local governments have game laws which protect deer from hunters. Special areas called game refuges or game preserves have also been set aside to protect deer and other wild animals.
All deer have thin, long legs. Powerful muscles in the upper part of the legs allow the animals to run swiftly and to take very long jumps. A frightened white tailed deer can run 40 miles an hour and can leap up to 20 feet.
A deer runs on tiptoe. Its foot is actually two center toes. Each center toe is protected by a strong, curved hoof. Only the tips of these toes touch the ground. Two other toes, called dewclaws, grow higher on the leg and have no use when the animal runs.
Among most types of deer, only the males have antlers, but both the male and female caribou and reindeer have them. Antlers are used chiefly to fight for mates or for leadership of the herd.
Deer that live in mild or cold climates lose their antlers each winter. New ones begin to grow early the next summer. Deer that live in warm or hot climates may not lose their antlers and grow new ones at other times of the year.
New antlers are always tender and soft. Thin skin grows over the antlers as they develop. Short, fine hairs on this skin make it look like velvet.
Full grown antlers are hard and strong, and the velvety skin dries up and rubs off after a time. The antlers usually decay on the ground after they fall off.
The size and shape of a deer's antlers depends on the animal's age and its health.