I read: Deer lick and groom one another especially around the neck and shoul- ders. Grooming helps to maintain bonds. However, as they groom, deer are also removing external parasites from each other. Grooming is often started by a dominant deer.
@lisadiane40, Yup! It is also important because the lone deer can't reach those areas themselves, the technical term for mutual grooming is "allopreening" 😄👍 Family bond helps direct the sharing of knowledge down the hierarchy, and hold a cohesive group structure and stability in the family group, then radiating outwards into herd cohesion..taking care of each other other and "personal space" along with respect creates a dynamic that spreads the herd into roving family groups..it's really neat! It creates a "network" rather than a "flock" 40 yrs walking with deer, 23+ studying them, watching these vids warms my heart..because it allows SO many people to see into their secret world🥰👍
I live in Bucks Co Pa, outside of Philadelphia, feed about 15-20 deer year round, Med Crack Corn & Deer Feed mixed together, Alfalfa green hay in the winter, lots of water, one doe 'Chrome' has been with me for 10 years, deer live 10-15-20 years, seem like they should live another 10 years, guess their organs fail, blood get toxic and they die. Does anyone know more about it. I have had a few nice deer die, put them in a nice spot, cover with sticks & leaves & Animal-Be-Gone to keep other animals away, if you call the State or County they put the nice deer in a landfill, rather not do that...
I spend a lot of money feeding wildlife, Deer, Raccoons, Birds. You would think there would be a Federal & State Tax deduction for helping the wildlife, it might be 20% of what you spend. What does everyone think...
