COMMON NAME (S): Columbian Blacktail Deer (Western Blacktail)

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Odocoileus hemionus columbianus

CLASSIFICATION: Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae

DESCRIPTION: Length: 6-7 feet (1.8-2.1 meters) including tail
Height at the shoulder: 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Weight: 100-250 pounds (45-112.5 kg.)
General: The blacktail buck is much larger than the doe but both have a distinctive dark brown or black, brush-like tail that is white underneath. The antlers of the mature buck bifurcate (divide in Y shapes).

RANGE: West side of the Cascade Mountains from California to British Columbia, Canada.

HABITAT: Forest and meadows.

STATUS: General: Secure.
WA State: Secure.

DIET: Consists primarily of leaves, buds, twigs and any available grasses.

REPRODUCTION: Breeding season extends from October through December. The gestation period is about 200-220 days. Generally, the female gives birth to 1 fawn at the first pregnancy and twins thereafter. At birth, fawns weigh about 7 pounds.

LIFE SPAN: From 8-15 years

BEHAVIOR: Blacktails generally feed at dawn and dusk. Depending on their location, they may exhibit seasonal migrations. In winter they move from high to low elevations and back up again in summer. They are usually not very social but will form small bands. These bands will cooperatively establish a territory within recognized landmarks and defend it against intruding deer. This behavior protects the bands' available food and is particularly important to their winter survival. In contrast to the alarm flight of the whitetail, they flee from danger with a stiff-legged trotting or bouncing style of leaping run.

NAMES: adult male - buck; adult female - doe; baby - fawn; group - herd

SOURCES: Mule and Blacktailed Deer of N.A. - O.C. Wallmo
Wild Animals of North America - National Geographic
Lives of Game Animals - Seton

For more information about living with deer in the neighborhood, go to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife site.