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Do Deer Eat Milkweed?

Deer are known to be quite adaptable in their feeding habits and can consume a wide variety of plants. However, they generally avoid Milkweed due to its bitter taste and the plant’s natural defense mechanism.

Milkweed contains cardiac glycosides, which are toxic compounds that can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. Many animals, including deer, seem to instinctively avoid these plants. So while it is theoretically possible for a deer to eat Milkweed, especially in situations of food scarcity, it is generally not a preferred food source.

This is good news for monarch butterflies, which rely on Milkweed as the sole food source for their caterpillars and are not affected by the plant’s toxins.

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