However, no decrease in total traffic deaths has been seen. These animals, which weigh no more than a large dog, have a population almost as tiny as their size. White-tailed deer from the tropics and the Florida Keys are markedly smaller-bodied than temperate populations, averaging 35 to 50 kg (77 to 110 lb), with an occasional adult female as small as 25 kg (55 lb). Illinois conservation officer Jim Twitchell was directed to pick up a road-killed deer in Randolph County, Illinois back in November of 1965. Sometimes called the “toy deer,” the Key deer is the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer. The Key Deer, Odocoileus virginianus clavium, is a subspecies of the ordinary ubiquitous Virginia Whitetail Deer, but the Key Deer has evolved and presently exists in the “wild” only on a few islands in the Florida Keys. ft. condo is a 2 bed, 2.0 bath unit. They measure about 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 65 pounds. Still, recent human encroachment into the fragile habitat and the deer's relatively low rate of reproduction point to an uncertain future for the subspecies. Many people love to observe these deer swimming from one of the islands to the next. Find 34 photos of the 849 Key Deer home on Zillow. Feeding acclimates them to humans and vehicles, and makes them more likely to be hit and killed by vehicles. Q: How big are Key deer? Adult males (known as bucks) usually weigh 25–34 kg (55–75 lb) and stand about 76 cm (30 in) tall at the shoulder. The speed limit is strictly enforced and tickets will be written for any vehicles exceeding those posted limits. The Key deer is a subspecies of white-tailed deer which migrated to the Florida Keys from the mainland over a land bridge during the Wisconsin glaciation. R. Scott Horner color illustration of a Key deer. Thus, while the short term promises some cushion from extinction, the long-term prospects for the deer remain in doubt. The 1,190 sq. A Key deer forages for food in the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key. They are notable for having two large and two small hooves on each foot and also for having antlers in the males of most species and in the females of one species. At the end of this period, however, most of the 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) of privately owned habitat land on Big Pine and No Name Keys will still be open for further development. Approximately the size of a golden retriever but having the deer's distinctively graceful shape, the Florida Key deer is found only on the Florida Keys. They do show up often along the roadways or eating in the gardens of residential homes. The female (doe) in North America usually weighs from 40 to 90 kg (88 to 198 lb). Some breeding may occur as late as February. [8], Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Trump Administration Opens Door To Dropping Florida's Key Deer From Endangered List", "Deadly fly larvae infests federally endangered Key deer population, more than 40 are euthanized", "Attack of the flesh-eating screwworm pushes up Key deer death toll", "Healthy Key deer may be corralled to save herd", "Flesh-eating fly outbreak that infested rare Key deer is over, feds say", National Fish and Wildlife Service species account, Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Key_deer&oldid=1000232328, Articles needing additional references from July 2016, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Authorities: Habitat Conservation Plan, 2006; FWS Biological Opinion on NFIP, August 2008, This page was last edited on 14 January 2021, at 06:33. (Sun Sentinel /Tribune News Service via Getty Images) Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images By comparison, larger males of the common whitetail deer stand 36 to 40 inches at the shoulder, are 70 to 77 inches long and weigh 150 to 300 pounds, sometimes even more. MLS # 14441139 Big Pine Key, Florida, USA - July 21, 2016: A Key Deer Doe By the summer of August 2019 most individuals were living on only one of the Florida Key islands, Big Pine Key.[2]. They are tiny deer that weigh 45 to 65 pounds, which is very small compared to the 130- to 300-pound white-tailed deer that are found on the North American mainland. Without these conservation efforts continuing it is believed that this species of deer would already be extinct. When you think of the Florida Keys images of diverse marine life probably come to mind. Berries make up most of their diet though and they will consume those that are black, red, or white. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. They are the smallest race of white-tailed deer in North America and are about the size and weight of a golden retriever. However, the population has made an encouraging rise since 1955, when population estimates ranged as low as 25, and appears to have stabilized in recent years. They males average in size from 50 to 75 pounds. The chef will pack gourmet picnic lunches for guests to take on seaplane or sailing excursions arranged by the hotel. The habits of the key deer are as odd as their size. The species feeds on over 150 types of plants, but mangroves (red, white, and black) and thatch palm berries make up the most important parts of their diets. Deer are native to all continents except Adult females (does) usually weigh between 20 and 29 kg (44 and 64 lb) and have an average height of 66 cm (26 in) at the shoulders. The deer is a reddish-brown to grey-brown in color. The shoulder height of Key deer is between 24-32 inches. Key deer catch our attention because of their mini size — you see people walking bigger dogs. Q: Aren’t Key deer just white-tailed deer? A: The largest males typically stand only about 1 meter at the shoulder and weigh a maximum of around 80-100 lbs. 849 Key Deer , Burleson, TX 76028 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $299,900. However, the mating process isn’t always successful so a low percentage of the does will actually have fawns from that occurring. This condo was built in 1985 and last sold on 7/3/2020 for $165,000. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'deerworlds_com-box-4','ezslot_5',109,'0','0']));Yet at one point the population was only about 25 approximately 50 years ago does show conservation efforts are helpful. About 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) of this privately developable land is on Big Pine Key and No Name Key, which are the central population areas for the deer. The deer (family Cervidae) comprises 43 species of hoofed ruminants in the order Artiodactyla. Seeing them at dusk and dawn is not unusual. They also feed on mangroves in the area. Hi, Deer! The 2,843 sq. The pest was declared as eradicated in April 2017. Learn More Females are smaller, weighing 65 pounds on average. [1], The range of the Key deer originally encompassed all of the lower Florida Keys (where standing water pools exist), but is now limited to a stretch of the Florida Keys from about Sugarloaf Key to Bahia Honda Key. The fact that they don’t away produce any offspring through their mating efforts also makes it difficult for the population to increase. Nestled in the center of the island, the pool is surrounded by lush vegetation, bubbling fountains, resort-style lounge chairs, and a tropical Tiki bar; wild key deer about the size of large dogs often gather at the water’s edge. 3^-5. Today what remains of their habitat extends from the Sugarloaf Key to the Bahia Honda Key. The only known location for the Key Deeris in the Florida Keys area. In 2006, a habitat conservation plan was enacted by Monroe County and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which will limit development in primary habitat and provide for additional habitat purchases over the next 15 years. Their natural habitat here has continued to be taken away due to development in those areas by humans. Rutting season activities begin in September, peaking in early October and decreasing gradually through November and December. Adult females form loose matriarchal groups with one or two generations of offspring, while bucks feed and bed together only outside the breeding season. Key deer are unique to the lower Florida Keys. It should be an effective tool for reducing economic and social costs associat-ed with deer-vehicle collisions on urban highways. The screw worm is a fly larva that enters an open wound of a live animal and eats the flesh of the animal from within, leading to a gruesome death. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1967. According to Legendary Whitetails, Jim and the others who saw the deer found themselves unable to believe the size … However, they do have a period of time when they seem to take part in it more than others. White-tailed deer, the smallest members of the North American deer family, are found from southern Canada to South America. Approximately 40 of them are killed annually on a highway that goes through their natural habitat. The endangered Florida Key deer, the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer in the United States, are endemic to the Lower Florida Keys (Hardin et al. Living close to humans, they have little of the natural fear of man shown by most of their larger mainland relatives. Instead, it … Antlersare grown by males and shed between February and March and regrown by June. One of the world's most endangered animals is the Key deer, nature's smallest version of the white-tailed deer. [3][4][5][6], Conservation efforts include the establishment of the National Key Deer Refuge, which consists of about 8,500 acres (34 km2) on Big Pine, No Name Key, and several smaller uninhabited islands. The .260 Remington is basically a .308 case necked down even further to a … On average, the deer stand only about 24 to 32 inches (61 to 81 centimeters) at the shoulder. They females are from 40 to 65 pounds. Habitat destruction due to human encroachment causes many deer to feed on non-native ornamental plants. [7], The National Key Deer Refuge encourages people to help keep the Key deer wild by not feeding them. The subspecies otherwise generally resembles other white-tailed deer in appearance. Longevity records are 9 years for males and 7 years for females. Adult females (does) usually weigh between 20 and 29 kg (44 and 64 lb) and have an average height of 66 cm (26 in) at the shoulders. Florida Key Deer are tiny, how tiny? A female (doe) weighs 45 to 65 pounds, while males (bucks) weigh 55 to 75. In August 2019 the Trump administration announced that it was considering withdrawing the Key Deer from the Endangered Species List. Key deer were isolated on the lower Florida Keys some 6-12 thousand years ago following a … Since the Key Deer does live in such close proximity to humans, they don’t seem to be afraid of them. Road kills from drivers on US 1, which traverses the deer's small range, are also a major threat, averaging between 125 and 150 kills per year, 70% of the annual mortality. Not all of the refuge lands are protected as public lands; despite extensive efforts of the refuge to purchase these private habitat lands for protection in the refuge, about 5,000 acres (20 km2) currently remain in private ownership and can potentially be developed. The outbreak killed 135 deer, roughly an eighth of the herd. Key deer, an endangered species in the Florida Keys, suffered a painful and potentially lethal outbreak of parasitic screwworms in 2016. The only known location for the Key Deer is in the Florida Keys area. They are about 2 ½ feet tall so when people do see them they automatically assume they are looking at young deer instead of a species that is full grown. Key Deer Facts and Information. The deer are often found in residents' yards and along roadsides where plants and flowers grow. The earliest known written reference to Key deer comes from the writings of Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda, a Spanish sailor shipwrecked in the Florida Keys and captured by Native Americans in the 1550s. Pine rockland habitat is important, as well, because it is often the only reliable source of fresh drinking water (Key deer can tolerate drinking only mildly brackish water). A tiny Key Deer Doe grabbing a quick bite to eat at Blue Hole on Big Pine Key in Key West Florida A Key Deer Doe in natural habitat, an endangered species found on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys. Antlers are grown by males and shed between February and March and regrown by June. The fate of the population following Hurricane Irma remains uncertain. Gr. But currently fewer than 1,000 Key deer survive, and their future remains precarious. 7680 Key Deer Dr , Worthington, OH 43085-4791 is currently not for sale. When the antlers are growing, they have a white velvet coating. Key deer are endangered because their habitat is … Look at the size of this young buck when compared to the truck next to it: Females are even smaller, you might even mistake them for a large doggie. They measure a little over two feet tall at the shoulder. October is when most mating activity is taking place. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Recent population estimates put the population between 700 and 800, putting it on the list of endangered species. Key Deer. The Key Deer is a subspecies of the White Tailed Deer but they are much smaller. Even with such efforts in place though there aren’t believed to be more than 800 of them living in the wild. [2], In September 2016, a screw worm infestation was discovered (the first infestation of its kind in the U.S. since 1982) to be affecting the Key deer population, necessitating the euthanasia of affected animals. The Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) is an endangered deer that lives only in the Florida Keys. This deer can be recognized by its characteristic size, smaller than all other white-tailed deer. These deer are well loved by tourist so it is common for people to be out around the area looking to catch a glimpse of them. They do need to stay close to plenty of fresh drinking water. ft. home is a 5 bed, 4.0 bath property. Does stand 24-28 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 65 pounds. Hunting of the Key Deer has been banned since 1939 when the number of them was drastically low due to people doing so. That said, you can’t go wrong with an ‘08, and I will be the first to defend your choice. This often results in car-to-deer collisions, as the deer are more active (and harder to avoid) at night. Today what remains of their habitat extends from the Sugarloaf Key to the Bahia Honda Key. Adults are similar in size to a large dog, ranging in weight from 65-90 pounds and the fawns, or young Key deer, are about the size of a small house cat. This deer can be recognized by its characteristic size, smaller than all other white-tailed deer. They are perfectly adapted to living in the wild, they may, however, approach people looking for handouts; please help us keep them healthy and wild by not feeding them. Also, hanging around people and developed areas in higher than normal densities makes them more susceptible to diseases, dog attacks, and entanglements in human trash, all of which can lead to increased injuries or death. For the Key Deer mating season is any time of the year. Thus a big white-tail buck may be four times as heavy as a key deer buck. The Portal of Life on Earth, Biodiversity, Animal Facts, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. It is by far the smallest of any deer in the Americas. Water Deer. [citation needed], A portion of U.S. Route 1 was also elevated in 2003 to allow the deer to pass safely beneath the roadway, in an attempt to lessen the chance of road kills. Key deer live on the islands in the lower Florida Keys. Key deer, a subspecies of white-tailed deer, are only found on a few islands in the Florida Keys. Call FWC Dispatch to report a dead or seriously injured key deer at 305-470-6863 X 7. Does stand 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 65 pounds, according to refuge information. Some people like the idea of these deer being present but others complain about the damages that they cause. The deer is a reddish-brown to grey-brown in color. Breeding occurs all year, but peaks in October and December. Any deer hit reasonably well with it is dead, but it’s a .30 caliber, which I quite subjectively feel is in the upper size spectrum for deer. Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) were listed as endangered by the U.S. The female fly mates once in her life, so the infestation can be battled by introducing sterile male flies to the population, causing the females to die out without laying fertile eggs. Bucks range from 28 to 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 80 pounds. ing size. At only half the size of normal deer, the Key Deer has the cuteness and dwarfism that make them extremely adorable and photogenic. For some reason these deer have a need to drink more frequently than others. It is the smallest North American deer. It is a subspecies of the white-tailed deer (O. virginianus). Bucks range from 28-32 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 80 pounds. There are more than 150 different types of plants that the Key Deer will feed on. Key deer occupy 20-25 islands within the boundaries of the National Key Deer Refuge (NKDR) with the majority of the population (≈75%) found on Big Pine (BPK) and No Name (Hydropotes inermis) Unlike most deer species, the water deer lacks antlers. The deer refuge was established in 1957 to protect and preserve Key deer and other wildlife. It just takes time to show a significant difference. Key deer are about the size of a big dog. They mainly stick to the wetland areas here and have about 8,500 acres of refuge land where they live. Does weigh 45 to 65 pounds while bucks weigh 55 to 80. tiny subspecies of the Virginia White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium Key deer use all islands during the wet season when drinking water is more generally available, retreating to islands with a perennial supply of fresh water in dry months. Key deer inhabit nearly all habitats within their range, including pine rocklands, hardwood hammocks, mangroves, and freshwater wetlands. To help with this situation the speed limit through a long stretch of it is 45 during the day and 30 at night. 1984). Key deer easily swim between islands. While just 30 minutes from Key West and its International Airport and 20 minutes from Marathon, it is still a natural paradise offering scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, all types of fishing and it is home to the Key Deer. They don’t seem to mind it and in fact, they often seem just as curious about humans. Academic literature cites “adult males, or bucks, weigh only 55-75 pounds. Conservation efforts are in place for the Key Deer due to the fact that they are on the Endangered Species list. Key deer were hunted as a food supply by native tribes, passing sailors, and early settlers. Estimating the Size of the Florida Key Deer Population by Census Simulation: This lesson is written by Master Teacher Thomas Beard Trocco. Key deer fawns are about the size of a small housecat. Hunting them was banned in 1939, but widespread poaching and habitat destruction caused the subspecies to plummet to near-extinction by the 1950s. Territorial activity is limited to defending a receptive doe from other bucks. [citation needed] The National Key Deer Refuge, a federally administered National Wildlife Refuge operated by the Wildlife Service, was established in 1957. Their natural habitat here has continued to be taken away due to development in those areas by humans. 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