The process by which deer sleep and rest is called bedding. For deer, many factors affect where and how they sleep, including but not limited to weather change and proximity to food. Come along as we explore the various ways deer sleep and the factors that affect where they sleep.
Where Do Deer Sleep?
Deer sleep in thick, dense foliage, in the open fields, and under low-hanging trees in the forest. They don’t have a fixed place they sleep – any comfortable and safe place from predators would do. There are three main things a deer looks for when deciding where to make a bed down or sleep:
Coverage: the bedding ground has to provide them with camouflage against predators.
Food & water: the bedding area has to bear an abundant supply of water and food. It must also lack the presence of predators.
Entrance & Exit: A deer will only sleep in a place it can easily escape from when spotted by predators.
Most deer sleep on their sides with their heads up, while baby deer or fawns sleep with their noses tucked under their hind legs. Some of them sleep while standing up, although that is rare. You can’t tell if a deer is sleeping because they close and open their eyes while sleeping to confuse predators. The deer is a creature of habit, and once it finds a safe place to bed-down, it tends to return to this place several times to sleep. The bed of a deer can be made up of a brush pile, grass, or dirt. Several beds can be found in a bedding ground.
Types of Deer and Their Habitat
Deer are the most widespread animals across the globe, known for their elegance, noble and calm appearance, and massive antlers. The different types all look similar, but their habitat and appearance help distinguish them. The following are some of the most common deer in the world:
The White-Tailed Deer
White-tailed deer are primarily found in Northern America, Canada, and south of the Peruvian mountains. The white-tailed deer can be found in wooded areas and open grasslands.
The Mule Deer
Mule deer are social animals that can be found in the coniferous forest of Stony Mountain. They live in big groups and can be found sleeping or dozing in bushy hillsides, where the majority of their preferred food can be found.
The Hog Deer
The hog deer can be found in Australia, Northern India, and the mainland of Southeast Asia. They are very private and form small groups.
The Fallow Deer
The fallow deer is found chiefly in farmland, gardens, and woodlands. It spends its days grazing or sleeping in open grasslands or woodlands. Fallow deer live in large groups/herds.
The Moose
The largest deer in the world, the moose, can be found in the desperate forests of the northern hemisphere. Moose are extremely solitary animals and are very picky eaters.
When Do Deer Sleep?
Mostly, deer sleep during daylight hours while the sun is out, usually between the hours of noon and 4 p.m. They don’t sleep for long, and they move their bedding ground a lot while napping. Deer rarely sleep at night because this is when their predators are most active. They can, however, sleep at night if they are hiding from predators or trying to conserve energy.
Where Do Deer Sleep in the Winter?
During winter, deer sleep in areas that would provide adequate cover from the cold winds and offer protection from predators. This is why they use south-facing slopes for their beds in winter. The slopes provide warm bedding grounds during the day. It enables them to see any predator approaching, allowing them to escape on time.
How Long Do Deer Sleep?
Each deer sleep cycle consists of dozing 30 seconds to 3minutes. Then they snap awake, loom around for predators, stretch their limbs, and go back to sleep. Sometimes, they defecate or urinate after they wake up. They repeat this sleep cycle continuously for about 30 minutes. If you count the numerous sleep cycles deer have in a day, it would amount to a total of about 12 hours.
Do Deer Sleep Alone or in Groups?
Deer may sleep alone on occasion, but they love sleeping in groups. It makes them feel safer from predators. A group of deer can spot a predator faster than a single deer will. So the larger the number of deer gathered in a place, the easier it is to spot a predator before it’s too late.
Can Deer Hear or Smell While Sleeping?
The ears of deer are always alert through their sleep cycle. They are incredibly aware of every change in their environment, even while sleeping. They can also smell exceptionally well while they sleep. These specific detection features make them very alert to predatory sounds and smell. This is also why they are such elusive game for hunters
Fascinating Facts About the Deer
Thoughts
Now that we know how and where deer sleep, you should now understand that deer don’t have a predictable sleep cycle because they are prey to many predators, so you’ll likely find them changing their sleeping/bedding location several times a day.
