Female deer throwdown in backyard as they appear to be protecting their young
A backyard encounter
In September, an amateur photographer heard sounds coming from her yard. Looking through a window, she spotted two does fighting. She took out her phone and recorded the encounter, which became a viral video. The report does not identify the photographer or give the location of her backyard.
Hooves instead of antlers
The deer stood on their hind legs and struck at each other with their front hooves. Unlike male deer fighting with antlers, the does used boxing-like blows. The report describes the animals as appearing to protect their young, but does not confirm that the young were present during the fight.
Female deer can fight
Physical confrontations between deer are not limited to bucks during rutting season, the report says. Females may also fight, particularly when they feel their young are at risk. The photographer's video captured one such clash, with the two does trading repeated blows.
Key points
- An amateur photographer filmed two does fighting in her backyard in September.
- The deer rose onto their hind legs and struck with their front hooves.
- The video went viral after the photographer recorded the encounter.
- The report says female deer may fight when they feel their young are threatened.