Which three categories usually comprise the majority of the annual white-tail intake across regions?
Answer
Browse, forbs, and mast
While white-tailed deer are known to sample widely, consuming hundreds of plant species, their annual caloric intake generally settles into three major dietary pillars. Browse refers to the leafy parts and twigs of woody plants, which provides necessary year-round sustenance, especially in harsh seasons. Forbs are herbaceous, broad-leaved plants that offer highly digestible protein when in season, particularly during spring and early summer growth spurts. Mast includes calorie-dense hard mast (like acorns) and soft mast (like berries), which are crucial for energy loading before winter or providing quick sugars in summer. Grasses are almost always a minor component unless other food sources are extremely scarce.
Related Questions
What feeding classification sets white-tailed deer apart from grazers like cattle?What physiological adaptation in deer saliva allows for safe consumption of items like acorns?Which three categories usually comprise the majority of the annual white-tail intake across regions?What is the primary nutritional purpose of the deer consuming carbohydrate-rich mast in the fall?During which season does new, succulent growth from forbs provide the highest quality, protein-rich menu for deer?What is the characteristic physical sign on trees and shrubs indicating heavy white-tail browsing activity?Why might a deer starve with a full stomach if the landscape is dominated by mature, low-quality grass?What is the key management technique that promotes the early successional growth deer instinctively prefer?Which nutrient demand peaks most severely for bucks during the spring and summer, and for does during late-stage pregnancy and lactation?When is a high-protein food plot most likely to see low usage from white-tails, according to land management considerations?