The grunt is a deer’s primary means of communication. From birth to death deer use grunts to communicate their location desires and intentions. The number of grunts a deer makes can vary depending on the situation but there are some general patterns that can be observed.
One study found that adult bucks make an average of 15.4 grunts per hour during the rut while does make an average of 5.4 grunts per hour. bucks also tended to grunt more during the peak of the rutting activity than at other times.
During the first few weeks of the rut bucks will often grunt incessantly to let does know they are in the area and looking to mate. Does will grunt back to let bucks know their location but they will also grunt to let other does know they are not receptive to mating. As the rut progresses bucks will become more selective in their grunting and does will grunt less often.
The number of grunts a deer makes can also be affected by the presence of humans. Deer are known to be particularly skittish around humans and will often grunt as a warning to other deer in the area that there is a potential predator nearby. The number of grunts a deer makes in these situations can be quite variable and is likely to be influenced by the deer’s level of fear and the size of the group it is with.
In general the number of grunts a deer makes is a good indicator of its level of excitement or stress. A higher number of grunts usually means the deer is more agitated while a lower number of grunts indicates a more relaxed state. However the interpretation of grunting behavior is not always straightforward and further research is needed to fully understand the meaning of different grunt patterns.
How many types of deer are there?
Six.
How many deer are in a typical herd?
Between 10 and 20.
How many fawns do deer have?
One to three.
How many chromosomes do deer have?
Thirty-six.
How long is the gestation period for deer?
Six to seven months.
How many stomachs do deer have?
Four.
How many times a year do deer shed their antlers?
Once a year.
How fast can deer run?
Up to 30 miles per hour.
How far can deer jump?
Up to 10 feet.
How long do deer live?
Up to 20 years.
How much does a deer weigh?
Up to 400 pounds.
How tall are deer?
Up to 3.
5 feet.
What do deer eat?
Leaves grasses twigs and nuts.
How do deer drink water?
By sucking it up with their tongue and then swallowing.
What predators do deer have?
Wolves coyotes mountain lions and bears.
