Key Deer Lose Habitat as Sea Levels Rise
- Key deer primarily live on Big Pine Key and are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer.
- Rising sea levels and climate change are shrinking their habitat, leading to increased risks of extinction.
- The stability of the deer population is threatened by habitat loss and conflicts with human development on the islands.
Key deer, the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer, inhabit the marshy wetlands of the Florida Keys, primarily on Big Pine Key. As sea levels rise, their dense habitat is rapidly diminishing, with estimates indicating that by 2050, 84% of their remaining habitat will be underwater. This poses a significant risk, as the deer are already vulnerable due to road traffic and the encroachment of human development. Climate change exacerbates the situation by increasing the frequency and intensity of hurricanes, which further threatens their environment by damaging habitat and freshwater supplies. The local population has stabilized despite traffic fatalities, but with shrinking habitats forcing the deer into residential neighborhoods, conflicts between wildlife and humans are becoming more common. Conservationists warn that without immediate action, the future of Key deer remains bleak, as a significant portion of their habitat will become uninhabitable, potentially leading to their extinction in the area.