White-tailed deer face a variety of threats in the wild.
Predators
* Wolves: A major predator, especially where populations overlap.
* Coyotes: Opportunistic predators that prey on deer, especially fawns.
* Mountain Lions: Known to hunt deer, though their range is more limited.
* Bobcats: Capable of taking down adult deer, especially fawns.
* Bears: Black bears will eat deer carcasses and sometimes hunt live deer, particularly fawns.
* Alligators: In the southeastern United States, can pose a threat to deer near water.
Other Threats
* Humans: Hunting, habitat destruction, and vehicle collisions.
* Disease: Chronic wasting disease, Lyme disease, and epizootic hemorrhagic disease.
* Parasites: Ticks, mites, and intestinal worms.
Competition
* Other deer and other herbivores like elk, moose, and rabbits compete for food, water, and space.
The specific threats faced by white-tailed deer can vary depending on their location and environment.