The Key deer are the smallest of the 28 subspecies of Virginia white-tailed deer. Males range from 28-32" at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 80 lbs. Females range from 24-28" at the shoulder and weigh 45 to 65 lbs. Key Facts: Mating Season – Mid to Late Winter: typically October through December. Gestation -6 to 7 months. Fawning Season - Beginning in April and continues through June, twins occur. Age of Maturity - Females are capable of reproducing at 6 to 7 months, but usually do not breed until 1˝ years old; yearling males are not likely to breed due to competition with older bucks. Lifespan - Can live up to 19 years, but 10 years is considered old.Males live an average of 3 years; up to a maximum of 12 years.Females live an average of 6˝ years; up to a maximum of 19 years. Key Deer in Zoos: There are currently only two (2) zoos that house Key Deer: the Jacksonville zoo and the Tampa zoo. No captive breeding program has been reported at this time.
The Key Deer was first listed as “federally endangered” on March 11, 1967. In 1973 when the Endangered Species Act was passed, the Key Deer was among the first to be listed. “Historically the maximum population of Key Deer was probably between 600 to 700 individuals” (US Fish & Wildlife Service: http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/images/pdflibrary/kede.pdf (page 4) The Carrying Capacity of the Key Deer for Big Pine Key & No Name Key is 450 – 515. ( Source: Population Ecology of Florida Key Deer, R. Lopez, PhDhttp://apc.tamu.edu/keys/rlopez.pdf ) Today (2007) the Key Deer population is approx. 800. (Source:US Fish & Wildlife Services National Key Deer Refuge http://www.fws.gov/nationalkeydeer/ (pg 1)
Human Population growth has not interfered with the rebound of the Key Deer, to the contrary it may have contributed to the recovery. -Quote:“Endangered Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) are endemic to the Florida Keys which have undergone rapid human population growth and development over the past 30 years. Our study objectives were to evaluate the impacts of urban development on Key deer habitat use, population dynamics, behavior, and body mass. We used data from two comprehensive studies on Key deer spanning 30 years to evaluate these changes. Our results suggest that Key deer have become more urbanized, using urban areas more today than they did 30 years ago. Contrary to our predictions, survival was higher for more urban deer than for less urban deer.”Quote/Source: ScienceDirect: Biological ConservationVolume 134, Issue 3, January 2007, Pages 321-331
Big Pine Key Population (US Census)
1990
4,206
2000
5,032
Key Deer Population
1990
250 – 300
2000
700 -800
In comparing the Big Pine Key Population Census with the corresponding Key Deer Population counts, from 1990 to 2000 the human population has increased 817; while the number of Deer has increased by 500 (nearly three fold).
With so many Key Deer on Big Pine Key and No Name Key, it is not hard to find one: ~When on No Name Key please keep to the main road (Watson), avoiding the residential roads. ~On Big Pine Key, the best viewing area is at the top of Big Pine; again, please stay on the main road (Key Deer Blvd). ~The best time to view the Key Deer is at dusk. ~Please Do Not feed the Key Deer; it is illegal and a $250.00 fine is associated with doing so. ~Feeding the Deer can not only cause illness and imbalances in their natural diet, it also encourages them to come close to cars; which may result in their death (by automobile). ~During the Spring and Summer months be especially careful as there may be a fawn following the female. Drive with Caution! The fawns are not wise to roads and cars; they have been known to run from one side to the other and then back again! The Speed Limit on No Name Key is 25 mph.
We hope you enjoy your visit to No Name Key and enjoy viewing our Key Deer.
~Please leave nothing behind but good will: Don’t Litter!
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