Wildlife Wednesday — Deer Grooming

By Andy Ames

“You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” We all know a back rub feels good. For Mule deer grooming has physical and social benefits and starts the day they are born. Mothers lick their newborn fawns clean. This helps sanitize, reduce odor, as well as imprint the mother to her fawn. This fawn is her responsibility and her’s alone. Whenever they reunite to nurse, mom will groom the fawn clean and lick its bottom to induce defication. As it grows older the fawn will reciprocate grooming, reenforcing their bond. Grooming is not just between mothers and fawns, however. Mule deer form clans of females related by maternal descent, meaning a doe with her offspring in addition to subsequent generations. Grooming is usually initiated by one of adjacent rank, ie a mother and her offspring. Bucks (males) form groups of unrelated individuals but also may be seen grooming eachother, again initiated by the dominant animal. With the deer rut approaching, those interactions may become a little less friendly.

It is common to see mothers groom their offspring. Not only does this help remove external parasites and old hair but also reinforces their social bond. This seems especially important once families start congregating and fawns interacting. Fawns can easily find themselves separated from mom and need to seek her out of a crowd.

There is a mutual benefit to grooming. What is good for you is good for me.

When nursing mothers will lick the perineal area of the fawn to induce defecation.

Mule deer does (females) form clans of related by maternal descent. These groups will also include fawns and yearling bucks (males). Grooming is initiated by the dominant, or older, individual and reciprocated by the younger.

Mule deer bucks (males) can also be seen grooming. Bucks generally disperse from their maternal group in their third year, often forming pairs or groups of unrelated males. Like with the does, grooming is initiated by the dominant individual.