Animals are full of emotions, and deer is no exception. Deer feel pain, fear, love, and other feelings, as is evident from their behavior. There was a famous film by the name Bambi. People would wonder, do deer mourn for the dead after a scene where the mother deer was shot dead by a hunter?
However, there is a lot of debate on the topic as several animals display different behaviors. However, modern animal sciences have sufficient evidence that deer mourn their dead in their ways. They have emotions that are triggered once a loved one dies.
However, there is still a lot to learn about deer mourning. So, let us explore more about the topic.
Do Deer Feel Complex Emotions?
Emotions are always complex, whether they belong to humans or animals. So, by complex emotions, we will refer to those associated with humans. Therefore, these emotions come from higher intelligence and our environment.
Although, there is a lack of scientific evidence to conclude that deer experience complex emotions. However, it does not out rightly negate the fact that they do not feel emotions.
Further, the topic itself is complex and empirical in nature. Therefore, we need to base our understanding on the cognitive abilities of deer.
Deer Cognitive Abilities
Although deer are not smarter than humans, they have cognitive abilities like thinking. Moreover, the cognitive perspective changes from humans to animals. As deer have a far superior sense of smell and taste to humans. Likewise, deer have smaller brains than humans.
Moreover, red deer can distinguish between the roars of their harem-holder and those of neighboring stags. Similarly, deer in a herd have designated duties, proving that deer have cognitive abilities.
Why It’s Reasonable To Assume Deer Mourn Their Dead?
The presence of cognitive abilities establishes a prerequisite for developing feelings, which can lead to grief for mourning the dead. Therefore, deer are aware of death.
Further, they tend to have a sense of morality and act in a certain way when they see death in action. It is not possible without an arousing feeling of grief. Therefore, with this relationship of death with deer, we can deduce that they mourn their dead.
A Real World Example
If you live in woodland areas, You must have encountered an injured or dead deer. It is generally observed that deer stay or move slowly when they cross the road and see an injured deer. Likewise, they will revisit the place in herds.
Observations of Mourning in Deer
Observation is one of the best ways to answer the question – do deer mourn their death? With plenty of available evidence through observation, we can conclude that deer acknowledge death and react in ways they usually do not do in normal times.
Here are a few observations seen in deer that prove that they mourn.
Caretaking Behavior Towards Dead Fawns
One of the best examples of mourning comes from mothers dear to their dead fawns. Mothers tend to show extreme caretaking behavior towards their dead offspring. These actions include grooming, guarding, and attempts to rouse them.
Therefore, it concludes that deer mothers strongly feel emotional affiliation with their fawns. Moreover, this attitude could last several days, indicating an unwillingness to abandon their young.
Remaining Near Fallen Companions
Several accounts indicate deer staying closer to places where they have dead companions. However, it is generally more visible in female deer, suggesting social alliances.
Vocalizations and Distress Signals
Deer have numerous vocalizations to communicate with each other. In case of a death, they emit distress signals or unusual vocals. These help other deer to understand the loss and rush to support the herd.
The Scientific Take on Animal Grief
Although much research is underway to support and understand mourning feelings in deer, several evolutionary and cognitive theories support this fact.
Evolutionary Benefits of Mourning
Deer mourning is rooted in the evolutionary benefits, as deer develop close social bonds while living together. Deer in a herd are protective and supportive towards other members. Moreover, this social bond also derives the emotional and intellectual understanding of death.
How Do Other Animals Feel Pain?
Animal behavior observers have recorded patterns in the number of animals that suggest they feel pain. Since they cannot express themselves in words, they depict unique gestures during pain.
Thus, it provides a context to do deer mourn their dead.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees behave in a distinguishable fashion upon the death of a companion, thus providing evidence of them feeling pain. For instance, it was seen cleaning the corpse of its fallen kin. Likewise, another chimpanzee was observed avoiding visiting the place of death.
Elephants
Elephants have certain post-death rituals. They are observed to preserve the bones of the deceased, which become part of post-death ceremonies. These rituals include touching the bones of the dead in a certain pattern.
Magpies
Some studies have deduced magpies are burying their dead. Although it is not like humans do, they hide dead under twigs, grass, or other similar material.
In Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Emotional Lives of Deer
Deer have emotions, and they mourn the death of their companion. They have certain ways to express their sorrow. For example, a deer mother would protect her fallen fawn when they are seen visiting the dead.
Moreover, deer develop an affiliation towards their herd; thus, they protect and alert them when in danger. Therefore, we have sufficient evidence that deer have cognitive abilities, proving they have sad feelings towards family members.
Contrarily, there is a lack of scientific proof, but with development, we can grasp and develop patterns to verify whether deer mourn their dead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to deer that die in the woods?
Generally, a scavenger would discover and consume a deer that died in the woods. It could involve a predator like a coyote, wolves, or mountain lions.
What happens when a doe loses her fawn?
Females tend to show more remorse, as they would protect and stay with a lost fawn for several days. They show a sense of deep affiliation towards their fawn.
Do deer mourn the loss of their family members?
Deer have emotions; thus, they mourn the loss of their herd member. However, they have a certain way of expressing their grief, but it is evident from their behavior that they mourn the death.
How long will a doe search for her missing fawn?
On average, a doe will search for 48 hours for her missing fawn before giving up.
Do deer recognize their family members?
Deer have tendencies to recognize their family members. They develop a deep sense of belonging with their family members that they can identify with and show affection.
How do deer communicate distress or grief?
Deer communicate distress and grief through a combination of vocalization and body language. A doe who has lost her fawn will make distinguished sounds to make others aware.
Do deer encounter the remains of other deer often?
Although it is not a general behavior, deer tend to avoid visiting a place with dead deer’s remains.
Can deer exhibit signs of depression?
Although scientifically unverifiable, female deer show signs of depression. It happens when she loses her fawn.
Do deer understand the concept of death?
Since deer have cognitive abilities, thus they understand the concept of death. Likewise, they express sorrow by exhibiting certain patterns.
Do male deer also mourn the loss of their offspring?
Since male deer stay away from the herd taking care of them, they do not offer to mourn the loss. However, if they become aware of death, they also mourn and visit the death place to honor the departed.