What to Do: Fawns

Black-tailed deer, a subspecies of the mule deer, are common throughout the Bay Area. Fawns are born in spring or early summer. They begin foraging for their own food when they are a week old, but will nurse heavily for at least two months.

Does will hide their babies and go off to feed, often for an entire day. If you find a fawn, leave the area and keep dogs and people away from it. The mother will not return if she senses you are too close.

Do not pick up the fawn or try to give it food. Only if the fawn is injured, or if the mother is injured or dead, should you bring the fawn to the wildlife rehabilitation hospital. If you have any questions, please call the museum, 925-935-1978, between 9 AM and 5 PM.