White-tailed Deer (Venado Cola-blanca)

 The White-tailed Deer is a medium sized deer native to Costa Rica and several other parts of the American continent. In Costa Rica it is considered a national symbol to all Coastarican’s, this mammal represents our natural wildlife heritage. In Costa Rica it is difficult to see, it is a species endangered by illegal hunting and, for reasons of urban development, has been losing its natural habitat. It can live at sea level or at the top of mountains. Guanacaste's savannas are homes to these precious animals, especially the Santa Rosa National Park. They weigh about 55 to 242 kg and has a height of 105 to 155 cm. Gestation lasts 7 ½ months, and it can have from one to two offspring. Their diet consists of grass, leaves, shoots, twigs, fruit and flowers of various plants. The White-tailed Deer can live about 10 years in the wild and 20 in captivity. The fawns have spots and they disappear as they grow. They can be difficult to see because they are close to extinction in Costa Rica.