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"Deer Sense of Smell – Deer vs. Dog vs. Human – Fact #1

Biologists confirm that a deer’s sense of smell is much greater than even the most olfactory acute humans. In fact, biologists suggest that a deer’s sense of smell may be up to 1000x better than humans. This allows the deer to smell predators from great distances giving them a better chance to flee before conflict. Olfactory receptors are the measuring criteria for a sense of smell. Here is how the break down between deer and human works out:

Deer – 297 million olfactory receptors
Human – 5 million olfactory receptors


A Wet Nose is a Good Nose – Fact #2

One fun fact about the deer and its sense of scent versus taste is how the deer keeps the nose and sense of smell so acute. A deer licks its nose at least several times a minute to keep it moist. A moist nose allows scents to “stick” to the nose, making the scents much more detectable. The deer uses the tongue that has poor taste receptors to keep the scent receptors powerful. Who knew Bambi was so complicated?

Deer “Pass On” Information Via Scent – Fact #3

Deer use scent to their advantage in other ways. For example, when a deer picks up the scent of a predator special glands between the “pedals” – the space between toes on the hooves – produce a secretion that gets placed on the ground when the deer runs. Other deer in the area, warning them to use caution as predators are around, picks this up.



From the Eyes of Deer – Fact #4

Deer use their acute sense of smell by secreting scented pheromones from the preorbital gland on the outer corner of their eyes. When startled by the scent of a predator the pheromone output increases, “scenting” the air so other deer get olfactory “fingerprints” of the fear-smell.

Fawns Go Scent-Free – Fact #5

Fawns, the very young offspring of the deer, are not able to run at high speeds or flee from predators in any efficient way. The fawns have their own method of protection in they have no scent from approximately the first three months of their lives. This means they remain undetected by predators. Biologists suggest the fawn’s mother has a special olfactory receptor that allows her to find the fawn when in hiding.