Deer: Difference between revisions
imported>Vagabondsun (Created page with "'''Deer''' are hooved, herbivorous mammals belonging to the ''cervidae'' familiy. They are known for their iconic antlers, which can be a strong part of the experience of people with this species identity. Many have felt misrepresented by stereotypical ideas about deer as fragile, gentle creatures and have challenged these perceptions in their personal essays. ==Experiences== ===Behaviour=== Many deer describe a common state of mind. They see themselves as wary and sen...") |
imported>Rainbow Collection (change essay names from italics to quotes) |
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===Behaviour=== |
===Behaviour=== |
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Many deer describe a common state of mind. They see themselves as wary and sensitive, often to the point of paranoia.<ref>{{Citation|title=Coyotedeer|author=Leisk|url=http://liesk.feralscribes.org/essay1.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328203000/http://liesk.feralscribes.org/essay1.php}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Seeking the Self and (Hardly) Making Sense of It|author=Leisk|url=http://liesk.feralscribes.org/essay10.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328203031/http://liesk.feralscribes.org/essay10.php}}</ref> They may feel as if they are constantly primed to run or fight. They can spook easily, and some keep their distance from people as a result. However, they can also be curious and fanciful when they feel secure, and many feel a strong sense of commitment to the people who they do feel safe around. Larger species are generally more confident overall. |
Many deer describe a common state of mind. They see themselves as wary and sensitive, often to the point of paranoia.<ref name=":2">{{Citation|title=Coyotedeer|author=Leisk|url=http://liesk.feralscribes.org/essay1.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328203000/http://liesk.feralscribes.org/essay1.php}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=Seeking the Self and (Hardly) Making Sense of It|author=Leisk|url=http://liesk.feralscribes.org/essay10.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328203031/http://liesk.feralscribes.org/essay10.php}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> They may feel as if they are constantly primed to run or fight.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Citation|title=the hart jumping out of my chest|author=mordecai midas|date=February 12th, 2023|url=https://allium.house/sun/creations/hart.php}}</ref> They can spook easily,<ref name=":3" /> and some keep their distance from people as a result.<ref name=":0" /> However, they can also be curious and fanciful when they feel secure,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Citation|title=I am not the grace of the doe|author=yourdeer|date=June 4th, 2013|url=https://animal-quills.dreamwidth.org/53365.html}}</ref> and many feel a strong sense of commitment to the people who they do feel safe around. Larger species are generally more confident overall.<ref name=":1" /> |
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Other instincts a deer may experience include wanting to kick or bolt when startled, a desire to graze on plants, and a preoccupation with strong smells |
Other instincts a deer may experience include wanting to kick or bolt when startled,<ref name=":4">{{Citation|title=An Antlered Doe Among All Deer|author=Leaps-Highest|date=October 1st, 2022|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/17trBQ0PX4tuGkJscpsca1pry2J97M7Hm/view}}</ref> a desire to graze on plants,<ref name=":4" /> and a preoccupation with strong smells.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> People whose forms are male may experience behaviours related to the rutting season.<ref name=":1" /> |
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===Antlers=== |
===Antlers=== |
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The phantom sensation of antlers is a prominent experience for many deer |
The phantom sensation of antlers is a prominent experience for many deer,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> even some who are female.<ref name=":4" /> Some have described a feeling of heaviness on their head associated with them.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> The sensations may change throughout the year as the antlers go through their growth cycle, even potentially being completely absent for part of the time.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> The shape and size of a deer's antlers, as well as the specific times of year they grow and change, can help a person narrow down their specific species.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> |
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People who connect to deer in a more metaphorical manner often see the antlers as a major feature of the archetype. |
People who connect to deer in a more metaphorical manner often see the antlers as a major feature of the archetype.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> |
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===As a prey animal=== |
===As a prey animal=== |
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Deer have expressed objections to romanticized images that paint them as delicate and elegant, or define them solely in terms of being a prey species.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> Does in particular can often be stereotypically associated with purity. In her essay "I am not the grace of the doe," yourdeer details the many ways that reality does not reflect this, including how some deer will opportunistically eat meat.<ref name=":3" /> She and others choose to reframe the perception of deer as animals with strong survival capabilities.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5">{{Citation|title=My Antlers are the Biggest Liars I Know|author=Leisk|date=February 25th, 2007|url=https://animal-quills.dreamwidth.org/21295.html}}</ref> In "My Antlers are the Biggest Liars I Know," Leisk says:<blockquote>Deer is not prey. He becomes it only when things have gone wrong. All species are designed to survive; no species voluntarily becomes another’s meal. Deer’s behaviors are not about being prey – they arise because deer has what it takes to live.<ref name=":5" /></blockquote> |
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Deer who also have predator animal identities have sometimes spoken about this dualistic experience. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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[[Category:Species identities]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:22, 10 April 2023
Deer are hooved, herbivorous mammals belonging to the cervidae familiy. They are known for their iconic antlers, which can be a strong part of the experience of people with this species identity. Many have felt misrepresented by stereotypical ideas about deer as fragile, gentle creatures and have challenged these perceptions in their personal essays.
Experiences[edit | edit source]
Behaviour[edit | edit source]
Many deer describe a common state of mind. They see themselves as wary and sensitive, often to the point of paranoia.[1][2][3] They may feel as if they are constantly primed to run or fight.[2][3] They can spook easily,[4] and some keep their distance from people as a result.[2] However, they can also be curious and fanciful when they feel secure,[2][3][4] and many feel a strong sense of commitment to the people who they do feel safe around. Larger species are generally more confident overall.[3]
Other instincts a deer may experience include wanting to kick or bolt when startled,[5] a desire to graze on plants,[5] and a preoccupation with strong smells.[3][4] People whose forms are male may experience behaviours related to the rutting season.[3]
Antlers[edit | edit source]
The phantom sensation of antlers is a prominent experience for many deer,[1][3] even some who are female.[5] Some have described a feeling of heaviness on their head associated with them.[3][5] The sensations may change throughout the year as the antlers go through their growth cycle, even potentially being completely absent for part of the time.[1][3] The shape and size of a deer's antlers, as well as the specific times of year they grow and change, can help a person narrow down their specific species.[1][3][5]
People who connect to deer in a more metaphorical manner often see the antlers as a major feature of the archetype.[3][5]
As a prey animal[edit | edit source]
Deer have expressed objections to romanticized images that paint them as delicate and elegant, or define them solely in terms of being a prey species.[4][5] Does in particular can often be stereotypically associated with purity. In her essay "I am not the grace of the doe," yourdeer details the many ways that reality does not reflect this, including how some deer will opportunistically eat meat.[4] She and others choose to reframe the perception of deer as animals with strong survival capabilities.[2][6] In "My Antlers are the Biggest Liars I Know," Leisk says:
Deer is not prey. He becomes it only when things have gone wrong. All species are designed to survive; no species voluntarily becomes another’s meal. Deer’s behaviors are not about being prey – they arise because deer has what it takes to live.[6]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Leisk. "Coyotedeer" (Archived version)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Leisk. "Seeking the Self and (Hardly) Making Sense of It" (Archived version)
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 mordecai midas. (February 12th, 2023) "the hart jumping out of my chest"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 yourdeer. (June 4th, 2013) "I am not the grace of the doe"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Leaps-Highest. (October 1st, 2022) "An Antlered Doe Among All Deer"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Leisk. (February 25th, 2007) "My Antlers are the Biggest Liars I Know"