Oh Deer!
While exploring Florida, the Tropical Ospreys came across an astounding area today. It housed Alligators, Slider Turtles, Lower Keys Marsh Rabbits, Ospreys, and more! These are only a few of the 16 species found in the National Key Deer Refuge. The most important, when it comes to this blog, was the Key Deer. According to the sign (shown below), when the refuge was founded in 1957 only 50 of these deer remained in the Lower Keys area because of uncontrolled hunting. Key Deer eat over a dozen different plants and thrive in their environment, when undisturbed by humans. Key Deer are also smaller than the average deer, but look eerily similar. Why is that? Well, it turns out that Key Deer are actually a smaller subspecies of the North American white-tailed deer! Why do you think that they grow to a smaller size than it's relatives? Unlike some North American white-tailed deer, you don't want to approach them. Although they aren't aggressive, feeding the deer will cause them to seek out humans for food instead of foraging on their own. Since they are an endangered species, leaving them remotely undisturbed is the best thing you can do for them. If you're like Alex, you'll want to pet them and maybe call them "good boys". Don't do that either, as creating a bond with these animals will only end in your own heartbreak and suffering. Although our team wasn't able to see many Key Deer, learning about how the Florida Keys houses subtropical species (temperate and tropical species) was enthralling.
To learn more about the Key Deer, click here: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/National_Key_Deer_Refuge/wildlife_and_habitat/key_deer.html
To learn more about the National Key Deer Refuge, click here: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/National_Key_Deer_Refuge/
Tropical Osprey Alex enjoying the literature section of the National Key Deer Refuge
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| Photo of A Key Deer, found on the National Wildlife Refuge's website |
Perhaps they are smaller to hide in the brush on Deer Key, or, something about regulating heat in the crazy humidity. Regardless they are adorable and they are good boys. Seeing the baby herons may have been more adorable though. I also was surprised Ospreys live so far down the coast, since I previous thought they require cold weather, like of that in NJ. Are they a subspecies that like the heat?
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how small the population was in 1957 and wonder what the numbers look like today? when visiting the area I noticed that the society did not leave them much land to live on because the most of it was developed.
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