What term describes the white-tailed deer’s non-specialized diet that contributes to its evolutionary success?
Answer
Generalist herbivores
The white-tailed deer possesses profound adaptability largely due to its feeding strategy, classified as being generalist herbivores. This means their diet is not narrowly restricted to one specific set of plants, allowing them significant physiological plasticity. They are able to process a wide variety of browse, including leaves, twigs, forbs, and even agricultural crops. This flexibility is an invaluable trait because it permits them to shift their forage preferences dynamically based on seasonal changes or localized environmental disturbances, making them far less susceptible to ecosystem collapse than species that rely on a very narrow diet.
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