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| Key Deer, a subspecies of the Virginia White-tailed deer, are found in Big Pine Key and a few surrounding keys. They are not found anywhere else in the world. When driving through the Florida Keys, you will notice signs as you approach the National Key Deer Refuge. The speed limit changes from 45 MPH to 30 MPH during the evenings and is strictly enforced by law enforcement. The refuge extends from Mile Marker 29 to Mile Marker 33.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service operates an information center for the Key Deer and its habitat in the Big Pine Winn Dixie Plaza. To visit the center, go north on Key Deer Blvd. also known as Wilder Road. The information center is located in the strip center, across from the Winn Dixie. |
 Photo courtesy of Key Deer Protection Alliance, Inc. |
"The shoulder height of Key deer is between 24-32 inches. Does weigh 45 to 65 pounds while bucks weigh 55 to 80. Rutting season activities begin in September, peaking in early October and decreasing gradually through November and December. Some breeding may occur as late as February. The gestation period is 204 days with fawns born April through June. At birth fawns weigh 2 to 4 pounds. Antlers on mature bucks are dropped February through March, and re-growth begins almost immediately so that by June, bucks with 2-inch stubs are seen. Antler growth is completed by August, and velvet is rubbed and kicked off in early September." (The Facts on Key Deer, Department of the Interior, March 1997) |
 Photo courtesy of Key Deer Protection Alliance, Inc. |
 Photo courtesy of Key Deer Protection Alliance, Inc. |
| "They feed on native plants such as red, black and white mangroves, thatch palm berries and over 160 other species of plants. Key deer can tolerate small amounts of salt water, but fresh water is essential for their survival. They must also have suitable habitat to ensure their future existence. No records exist documenting the origin of the deer in the keys. It is believed that the deer migrated to the keys from the mainland many thousands of years ago, across a long land bridge. As the Wisconsin Glacier melted, the sea rose dividing the land bridge into small islands now known as the Florida Keys."(The Facts on Key Deer, Department of the Interior, March 1997) |  Photo courtesy of Key Deer Protection Alliance, Inc. |
 Map Courtesy of Key Deer Protection Alliance, Inc. |
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| *Officials recommend visitors travel to the north end of Key Deer Blvd. or to the east end of Watson Blvd. on No Name Key instead of stopping on Hwy. US 1. This area is part of National Key Deer Refuge and offers safe viewing. Two Web sites with more information about the Key Deer are GORP and Texas A&M Key Deer Project |
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If you would like more information, please contact: Refuge Manager PO Box 430510 Big Pine Key, Florida 33043-0510 Phone: (305) 872-2239 Fax: (305) 872-3675 |
If you would like to make a donation, to help ensure the survival
of the endgangered Key deer and its natural habitat please send it to:
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Key Deer Protection Alliance, Inc. PO Box 430224 Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 or Favor-Florida Keys Friends and Volunteers of Refuges... Florida Keys BO Box 431840 Big Pine Key, Florida 33043 |
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This information was obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publication "Facts on the Key Deer", which is available at their information center. Two Web sites with more information about Big Pine Key, and the Florida Keys
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