White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus is an introduced deer surviving in two New Zealand populations. It differs from other local deer through the bright white underside of its tail, raised like a flag when alarmed. It is a lightly built brown deer with a white throat and belly. Bucks carry antlers with tines rising from a forward-curving beam.

Wild populations occur on Stewart Island/Rakiura and near Lake Wakatipu. On Rakiura they use coastal forest, scrub and clearings. They browse foliage, herbs and seedlings and sometimes graze. Most feeding occurs around dawn, dusk and night.

New Zealand treats white-tailed deer as Introduced. Rakiura tracks around Paterson Inlet offer occasional sightings, especially at quiet times.