Odocoileus virginianus, white-tailed deer

White-tailed deer populations have been increasing over the past decade. Areas once thought to be marginally suitable habitat are now considered suitable. Reasons for this are largely due to the overpopulation of the deer herds and the competition for resources that results from increased population density. Deer are opportunistic feeders that forage along the edges of woodlands and open meadows. Food preferences become more widely diverse when there is a shortage of the most desired food. While they are not typically a wetland species, they frequent the wetland habitat for a drink of water and to browse on the tender young shoots of the emergent vegetation. They will dine on leaves, buds, bark, stems, fungi, grasses, and shrubs. Cultivated crops of a wide variety are especially suitable for there is abundant food within easy access. Over-browsing and denuting of the regional flora occurs in areas where the deer population has exceeded the rate of vegetative regeneration. In ecological terms this condition is referred to as disequalibrium. A shift in the carrying capacity of the environment due to the overpopulation of deer may result in a trophic cascade. Deer are crepuscular in their habit; meaning that they are most active at dawn and dusk. At other times they seek shelter and rest in protected woodlands where their cryptic coloration provides camouflage against predation.