This cache is part of the Auburn Hills Recreation Geocache Challenge. These caches are for the various animals that you may encounter in Michigan. Find the missing word at each cache and fill it in to the geocache decoder found at the end of the Auburn Hills Park Adventure Journal. Turn your completed book into the Auburn Hills Community Center for a fun prize! Please respect all park rules & regulations and please replace all caches as you found them. Thank You and have fun Geocaching!
(LAUNCHING SUMMER 2026) AUBURN HILLS GEOCACHING CHALLENGE DECODER
"White-tailed" refers to the white underside of the deer's tail, which it displays and ______ when it senses danger.
Fun Fact: White-tailed deer are incredible athletes with some being able to jump over hurdles over 8 feet high!
Common Name: White-tailed Deer
Scientific Name: Odocoileus virginianus
Size: 3-3.5 feet tall, 4-6.5 feet long, 90-300 pounds
Range, Habitat, & Physical Description:
White tailed deer are the most common deer species in North America, and you probably see them all the time where you live. Whitetail deer feed on a variety of vegetation, depending on what is available in their habitat. In eastern forests, buds and twigs of maple, sassafras, poplar, aspen and birch are consumed, as well as many shrubs. Conifers are often eaten in winter when other plants become scarce. White-tailed deer browse for food at dawn and dusk to avoid predators. They have good eyesight, hearing, and are even good swimmers. A young deer is called a fawn, an adult male deer is called a buck and the female is called a doe. Only male deer grow antlers, which are shed each year. White-tailed deer are the most popular large game animal in the USA.
What To Do If You Encounter A Baby Fawn:
If you see a fawn alone do not disturb it or even touch it as the mother will leave the fawns alone for many hours while grazing. If you touch the fawn, its mother may abandon it. Observe the fawn from a distance and only approach the fawn if it is showing one of these signs.
- It’s in immediate danger (is in a road, construction sites, being attacked, etc.)
- It is bleeding, has an open wound, or a broken bone.
- It is covered in fly eggs (small, rice-like grains) or maggots.
- It appears weak or is lying on its side for an extended period.
- It is crying nonstop for hours.
- You have not seen the mother return for more than 24 hours and the fawn is consistently crying loudly.
- If the mother deer is obviously injured or dead, the fawn needs help.
If the fawn shows one of these signs contact a wildlife rehabilitator, a list of them can be found on the DNR websites.