key deer
noun
variants
often Key deer
: a very small rare white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) native to the Florida Keys
Examples of key deer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The adorable Key deer are found in the Lower Keys and nowhere else on the planet.
—
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Evening As dusk falls, look out for Key deer, the region’s petite and endangered resident deer species, along the highway.
—Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Big Pine Key is famous for a diminutive land species, the key deer, which can be observed all over the 10-square-mile island, including along the roadside and on trails within the National Key Deer Refuge.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 5 Nov. 2025
The possible extinction of the Key deer could also affect other species in the Florida Keys.
—Justin Klawans, The Week Us, theweek, 13 Nov. 2024
Somehow, this story — along with a three-legged Key deer — helps Yancy connect the dots that Christopher and Nick might just be the same person.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024
About the Key deer The resort’s long been famous for visits from the endangered Key deer, which swim in from the nearby National Key Deer Refuge and other Keys.
—Mark Gauert, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2024
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Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Evening As dusk falls, look out for Key deer, the region’s petite and endangered resident deer species, along the highway.
—Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Big Pine Key is famous for a diminutive land species, the key deer, which can be observed all over the 10-square-mile island, including along the roadside and on trails within the National Key Deer Refuge.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 5 Nov. 2025
The possible extinction of the Key deer could also affect other species in the Florida Keys.
—Justin Klawans, The Week Us, theweek, 13 Nov. 2024
Somehow, this story — along with a three-legged Key deer — helps Yancy connect the dots that Christopher and Nick might just be the same person.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024
About the Key deer The resort’s long been famous for visits from the endangered Key deer, which swim in from the nearby National Key Deer Refuge and other Keys.
—Mark Gauert, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Key deer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20deer. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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