March 11th is Key Deer Awareness Day, a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the endangered species found in the Florida Keys. Key deer are small deer that live on several islands in the Florida Keys, an archipelago off the southern coast of Florida.
What Are Key Deer?
Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) are a subspecies of white-tailed deer native to the Florida Keys. They are much smaller than their mainland counterparts, with adults usually weighing between 40 and 80 pounds. They have reddish-brown fur and short legs, which help them navigate through thick vegetation on their home islands.
Why Are Key Deer Endangered?
The main reason for the decline in key deer population is due to habitat loss caused by development and urbanization in the Florida Keys. The introduction of non-native predators such as feral cats and dogs has also contributed to their endangerment. Additionally, vehicle collisions have become a major cause of death for key deer since they often cross roads at night when searching for food.
How Can We Help Save Key Deer?
There are many ways we can help save key deer from extinction! One way is by supporting conservation efforts such as those by The Nature Conservancy, which works to protect key deer habitats in the Florida Keys. We can also spread awareness about key deer by sharing facts about them on social media or writing articles like this one! Finally, we can take steps to reduce our own impact on their habitats by limiting our use of fertilizers and pesticides that run off into waterways where they live.
Finally, it’s important to remember that protecting endangered species like key deer starts with us! By taking action today, we can ensure that these beautiful animals will still be around for generations to come.
Sources:
- https://www.101travelbits.com/single-post/2018/03/08/3-fun-facts-on-key-deer-for-key-deer-awareness-day
- https://www.alligator.org/article/2021/03/key-deer-uf-sfc?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest
- https://www.internationaldays.co/event/key-deer-awareness
