White-tailed deer and their superpowers

Published 1:54 pm Wednesday, July 23, 2025

A magical moment. That’s how it feels whenever I see a deer. In Western North Carolina, white-tailed deer aren’t just common neighbors—they’re a graceful, wild part of the mountain landscape. And yes, even when they’re nibbling on our garden plants.

I’m always in awe of how these beautiful animals live amongst us and survive. Maybe it’s because of their superpowers. But first, why are they called white-tail deer?

It’s because of the bright white underside of their tails. When a deer feels calm, its tail stays down, blending in. But if something surprises it, like a loud noise or sudden movement, up goes the tail like a white flag, warning other deer to “Watch out!”

Their sense of smell is about 1,000 times better than ours. That means they can smell a predator, including a person, from up to a mile away, depending on the wind. A deer’s nose can also tell what’s been there, how long ago, and whether it’s friend or foe, all from smelling the air! Now that’s a superpower!

Second, deer can leap up to eight feet high and sprint up to 30 miles per hour. How fast is that compared to us humans? About four to six times faster than most adults. 

One thing many people don’t notice: deer are expert sneaky walkers. They step lightly on the tips of their hooves, moving almost soundlessly. That helps them stay hidden from predators while they explore the forest. And, they’re masters of stealth, even when munching. Their molars grind side to side, not up and down like ours, allowing them to eat almost silently while staying alert. 

Talking about eating, as anyone with a garden knows, these animals are serious plant-eaters. Leaves, acorns, fruits, twigs, mushrooms, white-tailed deer have a menu of over 300 plants! Luckily, there are plenty of plants they don’t like, which is what we plant around our house. Try bee balm, ferns, goldenrod, inkberry, or American holly, just to name a few. 

Deer families are fun to watch. In the spring, female deer, known as does, typically have one to three babies, called fawns. Fawns are born with white spots that help them hide in the forest. If you ever see a fawn all by itself, don’t worry. Its mom is usually nearby, keeping an eye on things until it’s safe to come back. 

Fawns will stay with their mothers for up to a year, with the male fawns leaving the earliest, usually to join a bachelor group. As the bucks mature, they grow antlers that fall off each year after mating and regrow in the spring. And males don’t help with raising the fawns.

Not too long ago, there were hardly any deer left in North Carolina because of overhunting and habitat loss. But thanks to people working hard to protect them, they’ve made a comeback, which is important as they play a special role in nature. 

They help plants spread by carrying seeds in their droppings. Predators such as coyotes, bobcats, and even black bears rely on deer, especially young or sick ones, to survive. And the trails they carve into tall grasses or through snow help create paths that other animals use, from foxes to turtles. In a way, they’re like trailblazers for the rest of the forest.

But even though we see them often, they’re still wild animals — and they need our help to stay safe. The biggest danger to deer is from people, through hunting and car accidents. When you’re out driving, especially at dawn or dusk, watch out for deer. If you see one crossing the road, please slow down and wait—there’s usually another deer right behind, maybe even a little fawn. 

So next time you catch a flash of white through the trees, pause for a moment and take time to experience the magic of just watching a deer. These quiet, wild neighbors are more than just part of the scenery; they’re a reminder of how lucky we are to live alongside the wonders of the natural world.

Fawns have spots that camouflage them in the forest.

Loti Woods is co-founder of Champions for Wildlife, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire and empower our kids, using art and education, to be champions for wildlife. To learn more, visit https://championsforwildlife.org or email loti@championsforwildlife.org.