Where do deer sleep?

Finding a cosy spot...

NatureSpy's Yorkshire Pine Marten Project camera traps have captured deer settling down for a kip for the second time in the project.

This rarely seen behaviour was first captured in Kennedy Wild Bird Food Forest - a roe buck prepared a sleeping area by scraping at the ground, before settling down for about an hour.

The camera traps have most recently been in a different area called Flo's Forest, and by coincidence, one camera alone captured not just one sleeping deer, but two.

Firstly, the camera trap shows a roe buck preparing an area by scraping at the ground. Despite the fact the UK has lost its big predators, deer are still very cautious animals by nature and usually choose places to rest where they aren't too visible or exposed.

The roe buck then lies down in the area it has prepared, before drifting off. Deer don't sleep for long due to their cautious nature; instead sleeping for shorter periods and not entering a deep sleep. This roe buck stayed for about 45 minutes before moving off.

A week later, in exactly the same spot, a female fallow deer also decided it was a good spot for a rest. Without scraping at the ground (instead having a good sniff around), she settled for about 2-3 hours.

Without camera traps, it would be nearly impossible for us to witness this kind of behaviour in the wild, and with such a great view.

It's a fantastic example of how camera traps can give an insight into a hidden world of animal behaviour; even if it was a coincidence that these deer chose to sleep right in front of our camera traps!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do deer sleep standing up?
Yes, deer can sleep while standing, but they often prefer to rest lying down, especially during deep sleep.

Q: How many hours do deer sleep?
Deer typically sleep for short periods, averaging about 30 minutes at a time. They remain alert even while resting.

Q: Do deer sleep at night or during the day?
Deer are crepuscular animals, which means they are most active during dawn and dusk. They may rest during the day and night but are more active during twilight hours.

Q: Why do deer sleep alone?
Deer are often solitary sleepers, as it reduces the risk of attracting predators to a group of sleeping individuals.

Q: Can deer sleep in urban areas?
Yes, deer can adapt to urban environments and may sleep in parks, gardens, or even suburban backyards.

Q: Do deer use the same bedding spot every night?
Deer may return to familiar bedding areas, but they often switch locations to avoid leaving a scent trail that predators can follow.