Project Overview

Collars and paint markings which some Key deer currently display are evidence of a major effort by Texas A&M University researchers to learn more about Florida Key deer. The study promises to provide a better understanding on the effect of urban development on Key deer movements, habitat use, and behavior. In addition, the study will provide an updated estimate on the size of the deer herd. All of this will be done using radio-telemetry (i.e., the use of radio transmitters attached to collars). Radio-telemetry allows researchers to find radio-collared deer at any given time. Using radio-telemetry, scientists locate Key deer (at least once a day) from a distance without frightening or disturbing them. These deer locations can then be used to understand the Key deer and its environment. A truck-mounted tracking antenna is used locate collared deer. The purpose of this web site is to provide information on the Florida Key Deer Research Project to the Lower Florida Keys community and other interested parties.

Study Objectives

Nearly 30 years ago, a study was conducted using radio collars on Florida Key deer. Much of the information known about Key deer movements, habitat use, and herd size comes from the work of that original study. During that time, about 500 people occupied Big Pine and No Name Keys. Today, nearly 5,000 people occupy this same area. The overall affect of urban development on the Key deer population is largely unknown. Texas A&M researchers are replicating that historic study conducted nearly 30 years ago to allow a comparison of historic Key deer population dynamics (e.g., deer movements, habitat use, population numbers) to the current deer herd.

The current deer herd is believed to consist of semi-domesticated "urban" deer and "wild" deer. Researchers also hope to determine behavioral differences (e.g., deer movements, habitat use, flight distance, alarm behavior) between urban and wild deer. Urban deer are trapped in developed areas of Big Pine and No Name Keys. Wild deer are trapped in remote or isolated areas of Big Pine and No Name Keys as well as surrounding keys (e.g., Torches, Little Pine). Ideally, 100 Key deer will be live-trapped (i.e., drop net), radio-collared, and released in our study.

If you have seen any spotted fawns with collared deer in the past few weeks, please drop us a line (click here to report fawn sightings). Please include your name and phone number. You help is greatly appreciated.

Key deer, the smallest of all white-tailed deer, is a subspecies of the Virginia white-tailed deer. These deer inhabit Big Pine Key and various surrounding keys (Key deer's range). They are not found anywhere else in the world.

Due to uncontrolled hunting and habitat destruction, their numbers were estimated less than 50 animals in 1940's. With the establishment of National Key Deer Refuge in 1957 and intensive law enforcement efforts, the population has since increased and has now stabilized. The estimated population is approximately 600 deer on Big Pine Key and No Name Key (this does not include other keys in the deer's range). Highway mortality is the greatest known source of deer loss (photo by Joel Sarote).

The shoulder height of Key deer is between 24-28 inches. Does weigh 45-65 pounds while bucks weigh 55-75 pounds. Rutting season activities begin in September, peaking in early October and decreasing gradually through November and December. Some breeding may occur as late as February. The gestation period is 204 days with fawns born April through June. At birth fawns weigh 2-4 pounds. Antlers are dropped February through March, and regrowth begins almost immediately so that by June, bucks with 2-inch stubs are seen. Antler growth is completed by August, and velvet is rubbed and kicked off in early September.

Key deer feed on native plants such as red, black and white mangroves, thatch palm berries and over 150 other species of plants. Key deer can tolerate small amounts of salt in their water and they will also drink brackish water, but fresh water is essential for their survival. They must also have suitable habitat to ensure their future existence.

No records exist documenting the origin of the deer in the keys. It is believed the deer migrated to the keys from the mainland many thousands of years ago, across a long land bridge. As the Wisconsin Glacier melted, the sea rose dividing the land bridge into small islands known as the Florida Keys.

The earliest mention of Key deer is found in the memoirs of Fontaneda, a shipwrecked Spaniard held captive by the local Indians. Records suggest that the deer were found around Key West and were used for food by residents and ship crews alike. Although early records indicated sporadic wider distribution of Key deer throughout the lower keys, current data indicates they occupy a range from Johnson Keys to Saddlebunch Keys.

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