Whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were first introduced to New Zealand in 1905 from New Hampshire, New England USA. There were 18 deer released, two of them stags. They survived and are now found around Lake Wakatipu and on Stewart Island; the only herds in the southern hemisphere. They are smaller than their US relatives, with an average size of just over 50kg. The young ones keep their spots for about 4-5 months and the bucks shed their antlers starting in July and grow a new set in summer.
When disturbed they flick their tails up in alarm - the white underside of the tail stands out as they run away from you.
