Heavy rainfalls provide the perfect opportunity for deer to travel undetected from one location to another. The sound of deer rustling through leaves and branches is drowned out by the rain, making it easier for them to go undetected by predators.
One might think that deer would seek shelter from the rain, but they don’t. Deer will continue to move even in downpours as it is a necessary part of their survival. Usually, deer will settle and want to sleep in a safe place that is out of the reach of predators and where they won’t get wet again.
How Much Rainfall is Too Heavy for Deer?
The level of rainfall that is considered “heavy” will differ depending on the deer species. Rainfall with gustling winds can be especially stressful and overwhelming for deer, and they will often seek shelter from the storm rather than exposing themselves to it.
In general, most deer species will respond similarly when faced with heavy rainfall – they will seek shelter and wait out the storm until conditions are more favorable for them. However, some species are better-suited for dealing with extreme weather conditions than others, like the white-tailed deer.
How Do Deer Survive Heavy Rain?
A deer’s coat consists of hollow hairs that trap heat-preserving air, keeping them warm in below-freezing temperatures. To survive tough conditions, deer not only change their behavior but also pick areas to shelter in that have more cover and access to food.
Why Do Deer Move Around So Much?
Deer move around a lot to stay safe and find food. Since these resources can become scarce in one area due to overgrazing or competition from other animals, deer have to search for new sources of food. Heavy rain can provide the perfect opportunity for them to travel undetected from one location to another.
Final Thoughts
Deer are well-adapted to the outdoors and can handle heavy rain better than some animals. They are opportunists and use bad weather to their advantage, making their movements harder to track by predators. Although they can survive heavy rain and gustling winds better than some animals, they still seek shelter from extreme conditions to avoid putting themselves in danger.
