Among the diversity of fauna at Xcaret one that had to be present was the deer, a cultural symbol of the Yucatan Peninsula and an important representative of its biological richness.

Take a peek into their world and let yourself be captivated by their sweet eyes.

Deer were animals Mayans greatly valued as they were the symbol of all things sacred.

The legend says that Itzamna decided to create a land so beautiful that everyone that knew it would want to live there.

That is when he created the land of the Mayab and handed it over to to the Mayan people so they could inhabit it, selecting three animals to represent them: the pheasant,the deer and the snake.

In Mayan mythology it was the deer that created the moon´s sexual organs with its hoof, it was also admired because of its beauty and its agility. Deer meat was part of Mayan food and greatly valued for its taste.

Its skin was used to draw and write many of their important codexes. White tailed deer and temazate or brocket deer can be seen at Xcaret with their young.

They are born with white spots on their coats which help them to be mimetic, to blend into the vegetation, and protect themselves from predators such as the ocelot and the jaguar.

Xcaret, Mexico´s Sacred Paradise, is committed to its goal that one of the most beautiful species in local fauna will not become just a memory.

The deer refuge at Xcaret is carrying out a successful reproduction program of this protected species.