In the morning deer will rise from their bedding area and travel to a nearby watering hole to drink. They will then return to their bedding area to feed. Bedding areas are usually situated on high ground in order to afford the deer a clear view of approaching predators. During the heat of the day deer will seek out shady areas in order to stay cool. They will remain in these shady areas until the evening when they will return to their bedding area to spend the night.
So how long do deer bed down? It depends on the season. In the summer when temperatures are warm deer will bed down for shorter periods of time rising frequently to feed or drink. In the winter when temperatures are cold deer will bed down for longer periods of time rising only occasionally to feed.
Deer are creatures of habit and will typically use the same bedding area day after day week after week throughout the year. However they will abandon a bedding area if it becomes too disturbed or if they no longer feel safe there.
How long do deer spend bedded down each day?
Deer spend an average of 8 hours bedded down each day.
How does the length of time deer spend bedded down change seasonally?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day varies seasonally with deer spending more time bedded down in the winter than in the summer.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by age?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day increases with age with older deer spending more time bedded down than younger deer.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by sex?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day does not appear to differ significantly between males and females.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by time of year?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day is lowest in the spring and highest in the winter.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by temperature?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day decreases as temperature increases.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by precipitation?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day decreases as precipitation increases.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by wind speed?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day decreases as wind speed increases.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by food availability?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day decreases as food availability decreases.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by social status?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day appears to be higher for dominant individuals than for subordinate individuals.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by group size?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day is lower in larger groups than in smaller groups.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by season?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day is lowest in the spring and highest in the winter.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by habitat?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day is lower in open habitats than in forested habitats.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by latitude?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day decreases as latitude increases.
How does the amount of time deer spend bedded down each day vary by elevation?
The amount of time deer spend bedded down each day decreases as elevation increases.
