Deer Hooves: Why They Have Split Feet, What They Use Them For, And More!

Deer are hoofed ruminant animals of the Cervidae family.

Deer have been shown in art since Paleolithic cave paintings. They have played a part in mythology, religion, and literature throughout history and in heraldry, such as a red deer can be seen on Aland's coat arms.

The economic value of deer stems from people eating their meat (venison), their soft skin, durable buckskin, and their antlers that can be used as knife handles.

Deer hunting has been a popular hobby since the Middle Ages and is still a valuable resource for many households today. The deer hoof rattle is formed of clumps of hooves glued to native wood. People can customize these rattles with animal hair, feathers, yarn, or beads. Some cultures, for example, used deer hoof rattles for various purposes.

If you liked this article about deer, why not try reading other fun fact articles such as do deer move in the wind and what are baby deer called here on Kidadl?

What do deer use their hooves for?

Deer will pound their hooves in an attempt to stimulate a reaction in response to potential danger. It's fairly unusual for people to mistake deer for vulnerable creatures, especially in suburban settings, but do not be fooled by their regal appearance and elegant movements.

Deer have natural predators in addition to hunters. When a predator threatens or assaults a deer, it can only flee or fight. Bucks frequently use their antlers to protect themselves.

Does may raise up on their hind legs and hit predators with their hooves. They can also kick from behind if required utilizing their rear legs and hooves.

Other than leaving traces, this animal's hooves also help it perform several different activities. A deer can utilize its hooves to defend itself against predators and imagined threats. When jumping, a deer's front cloven hoof assists it in turning abruptly and pushing off.

They could not sprint up to 40 mph (kph) to avoid predators, chase during the rut, or jump more than 8 ft (2.4 m) in the air without their hooves. Deer use the scent emitted by interdigital glands to locate one another.

Interdigital glands are tiny, sparsely hairy sacs found between each hoof or foot. The sacs contain a yellowish substance known as sebum. Every time a deer takes a step, its scent is left behind.

Do deer have cloven hooves or do they have split hooves?

Hooves enable and support almost everything a deer does. They are made of keratin, the same material that human fingernails are formed of.

The front foot and dewclaws of deer are made up of two splits, or cloven, extended toes. Each deer hoof contains two dewclaws, one above and one behind the hoof.

Cloven hooves are seen in other mammals such as gazelles, sheep, pigs, cattle, and goats. Unless a deer is traveling through mud or snow, its dewclaws will not be seen as part of its footprint.

Examining a deer from head to hoof can provide insight into what is happening with the herd and can help you better understand this animal and your management approach. When hunters shoot deer, they frequently check them for any anomalies that may indicate whether they are safe to eat.

As a result, a deer should be inspected from head to hoof.

People rarely examine a deer's hooves, which might be a sign of the animal's general health.

However, with the rise in popularity of social media, more hunters have uploaded photographs of a condition known as slipper foot, which has been increasingly prevalent in recent years as hemorrhagic disease epidemics have increased. The term 'slipper foot' refers to the shape of enlarged hooves that mimic the form of an elf's shoe.

Even within the same species, hooves can be difficult to distinguish. For example, while whitetail deer and mule deer hooves exhibit variances, the hoof structure and footprints are practically impossible to distinguish. Both whitetail deer hooves and mule deer have two hooves that create an upside-down heart shape with a rounded bottom on the ground.

Why are their hooves squishy?

A hoof's inner layer is softer yet still sturdy. On rougher terrain, it acts as a cushion and gives traction. Deer rarely slip or fall under normal conditions, despite the fact that there is no way of knowing where the optimum footing is.

Deer only slip, stumble, or fall on ice-covered roads or trails. A falling deer might be defenseless if it is chased onto a frozen lake by dogs or predators.

Each deer hoof has two dewclaws, which are the remains of the second and fifth phalanges. Dewclaws widen the foot's platform and show in deer tracks in muddy mud or snow. A deer trail comprises simply of the split hoof under normal conditions.

How often do deer shed their hooves?

'Slipper foot' occurs in many circumstances, but a hoof might actually slough or fall off in other cases. Though it is a possible cause, hemorrhagic illness is not the primary reason deer suffer slipper foot.

Supplemental feeding on properties that rely extensively on deer feeders might develop a kind of laminitis caused by deer ingesting too many carbs in a short period of time.

If a deer consume too many carbs, whether maize or pelletized feed, it might produce excess acid in the rumen. Deer are browsers that eat largely on the leaves of grasses, sedges, forbs, shrubs, and trees, with lichens serving as a secondary food source in northern latitudes throughout the winter.

By ruminant standards, they have tiny, unspecialized stomachs and high nutritional needs.

A disruption in hoof growth occurs in the chronic form of the disease, in which an animal survives the early beginning due to the development of a high temperature, resulting in a hoof deformity.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked learning about deer hooves then why not take a look at mule deer vs. whitetail, or common eland facts?