Deer are animals that run through the mountains and are herbivorous because of their diet, that is, they feed on different plants and also on grass.
These animals have the characteristic of being able to adapt their diet to what is available to them.
For this reason, at certain times during the year when there are fewer plants or herbs, they can use other products of the earth such as acorns, berries or shrubs to feed themselves.
Deer use the night to feed, since they have good night vision and feel more protected in the dark in the face of possible problems with predators that want to hunt them. Although they can also be seen eating while the sun is high.
Deer are ruminants, what does it mean?
Animals that are ruminants swallow their food after being chewed and then return it back to their mouths to chew again.
With this curious way of taking their food, the deer manage to get from the products they ingest all the vitamins and nutrients they need to stay strong.
They graze, chew the food, ingest it, and after passing through the various stomachs, regurgitate it and return it to their mouths to start the process all over again.
With this digestive process, the deer can carry out proper digestion, eliminating everything that could cause damage or illness.
These mountain animals have teeth in the lower part of their mouths that are sharp enough to be able to chew food, thus facilitating the digestion process.
Deer feeding and its problems
Deer can adapt their diet depending on what is nearby, and this can be a problem, especially at times of the year when finding food can be difficult.
This mountain animal, unlike other animals, stays where it is even if it is difficult for it to find food, instead of moving in search of it.
So in the winter or summer, when blistering heat or cold and lack of rain can cause plants to dry out, minimizing the chance of finding food, deer can devastate nearby farmers’ fields.
On the other hand, when spring arrives, finding food and other necessary resources such as water is easier for them, so they tend to increase their intake of grass.
As deer are capable of adapting their diet, autumn is also another time of year when they can feed on other products such as acorns, chestnuts or other types of fruit from the trees they find in their path.
When is it hardest to watch deer eat?
When winter arrives, it is usually a very difficult time for these animals that run free through the countryside.
And it is that it is when they have less opportunities to find appropriate food to be able to maintain the energy they need.
Deer need a lot of food during the day because part of what they eat is evacuated, so it is easy to find a deer eating.
Regardless of whether it is day or night, as long as they can find food they will spend a lot of time eating. And since they can see perfectly in the dark, even at night they can be seen chewing on something.
However, when the cold arrives they usually hide and look for a good place to take refuge. The main reason for this is to save energy, since it will be very difficult for them to find food during this time of the year.
In short, what does a deer eat?
Summarizing the feeding of a deer is based on:
Leaves (of plants, trees and shrubs).
Fruits (acorns, chestnuts).
berries.
They are herbivores and ruminants, and they need a large amount of food because much of what they eat is evacuated very easily.
The typical scene that we see in documentaries, in which this beautiful mountain animal is seen chewing its food and grazing calmly, is very real. These beautiful animals feed in a very natural way that allows them to acquire that great beauty, regal bearing and delicious meat.
