Deer are typically regarded as an animal with various natural survival mechanisms that allow them to withstand harsh winters or challenging terrain.
Although deers are remarkable animals, I’m here to tell you that they can also be very dangerous! Here’s what I’ve found out about why deer chase after cars!
Why Do Deer Run Into Cars?
1. Habitat Fragmentation
Deer are a species that has adapted to its surroundings. They are naturally drawn to areas with water and food and cover from predators.
Therefore, when habitat fragmentation occurs caused by human encroachment (i.e., roads), the deer population will decline due to a lack of food and water sources.
In addition, the deer may become more vulnerable to predators because they will have fewer places to hide during the day when they are most active.
As a result, when deer are forced out of the forest and into suburban neighborhoods, they are more likely to run into cars inevitably from time to time!
2. Prey Animal Instinct
A predator is an animal that pursues and devours prey in a process known as predation.
On the contrary, deer are also more likely to run into cars due to prey animal behavior which causes them to be more curious about people when encountering humans on roadsides for the first time.
Since deer are raven to many predators, it is more likely that they may perceive a moving car as a threat.
In response, they decide it’s the best moment to juke out of the way and hit the car as it draws closer!
3. Mating Rut
Their mating season, known as the deer rut, typically lasts from mid-to-late autumn.
Hence, it’s common for male deer to go into rutting season during this occasion, which means they’ll be looking for females to breed.
Along with this, deer exhibit certain behaviors such as making excessive noise or mounting other species members to get attention from potential does nearby.
Because of that, if you live in a region where deer are common, it’s most likely to see them causing trouble on the roads and even less aware of oncoming vehicles!
4. Frightened
Deer are afraid of humans, fireworks, gunshots, loud vehicles passing nearby, any sudden movement that alarms them, or anything else that makes them uncomfortable.
However, you might spot a deer running away from something scary like another animal and hunters who might be out looking for food at night!
In that case, deer can act quickly and unpredictably when they are scared.
Overall, these kinds are instantly spooked by moving cars, which is one of the factors that motivate them to run towards them!
5. Accustomed To Loud Horns And Traffic Noise
Deers are habituated to horns and traffic noises, especially when cars pass near the deer’s habitat.
In most cases, they get confused by headlights or another lighting in their path or see something interesting on the other side of the road.
Additionally, deer become used to an area once they learn to avoid risky routes. However, they can also become accustomed to the streets and lose their fear of them.
For that reason, it has been observed that when these animals see a car driving past them, they instinctively know there is danger ahead and eventually start to roam onto the roads!
6. Adaptation To Road And Highways
Because of their remarkable adaptability, deers can readily coexist with humans. However, interactions and potential confrontations between humankind and these species have been proven over time.
Also, deer have adapted to roads and highways since they live in an area close to them.
On the other hand, these species also use roads to travel from one location to another without crossing tall trees or mountains, which could prove problematic.
As a result, it causes them to either freely stroll along the side of the road or to become terrified of the approaching fast-moving cars!
7. Known As Mobile Animals
Researchers have shown that deer have a substantially higher percentage of type II muscular fibers compared to humans and many other species.
Because of this, they can sprint at high speed in short spurts.
Having said that, deers are known for their rapid strength and swiftness. Thus, they can run up to 60-80 kph without breaking a sweat!
Therefore, animals like deer are known to be incredibly mobile. They are drawn to the highways and the roadsides as they move briskly!
8. Sense Of Smell
Deers are known to run into cars because they have a great sense of smell. Under normal circumstances, a deer can detect a human scent from at least 1/4 mile away.
To survive, they rely on their sense of smell to find food sources and avoid predators. They also rely on their vision to locate potential mates and find their way back home after an adventure out at night.
Besides that, these species are also territorial creatures which will cause them to run away from whatever has caused this reaction until they find somewhere else safe.
Under the circumstances, when deer smell something interesting nearby (like a human or vehicle), they will often follow after them or try running toward them!
9. Peripheral Vision
Whitetail deer have eyes on the sides of their heads, giving them a field of vision of around 310 degrees.
Accordingly, a deer’s blind area is only approximately 50 degrees in size. In contrast, a human’s field of vision with two healthy eyes is 180 degrees.
On the other hand, due to their lack of depth awareness, deer identify a moving car as unusual and are able to estimate how far away the vehicle or threat is.
Consequently, they become terrified and decide to collide head-on with the car and, worse, climb into it!
To know more, you can also read our posts on why dogs pee on tires, why squirrels run in front of cars, and why there are spiders in your car.
Conclusion
One of the most frequent animals in your neighborhood forests is the deer. They frequently graze in grassy places next to trees.
As you can see, deers run into cars for such reasons as habitat fragmentation, prey animal behavior, and when looking for mates during the rut.
Overall, knowing the causes of deer collisions will assist in protecting you and your vehicle from the horns of these dangerous animals!