GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

20-08-2004, 08:24 PM

(paghat) wrote:

My theory is this "Irish Spring repells deer" urban legend got started

Actually deer usually first detect their predators by their smell. Man
is their main predator as you mention. Any strong smell whether it be
soap, herbs, rotten eggs, garlic, or most anything dulls their sense of
smell and their ability to protect themselves from predators. Natural
selection has reinforced their natural reaction to this bad situation.
However, natural selection has also taught them that starving is also
bad, and that strong smells are not as bad as starvation.

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