Serious question/ why do?

Question

Why do Geese, and Deer find the grass by the curbs of major highways so irresistably delicious.
This goes for Gophers, skunks, etc.

It is so scrumptious that they even teach the newborn babies to eat as close to the road as possible.
I am so serious about this, and would love an answer.
I am an animal lover, and I know I will get sarcastic answers, and thats okay, but if anyone knows the real answer please tell me.

I agree with the people are careless thing, but slamming on ones brakes( which I often do) to avoid a crossing chipmunk, squirrel, or other animal isnt wise when the speed limit is 55-60 m.p.h.
They arent crossing, they are obviously grazing, as they are always in the same place.

Answer 1

The grass at the roadside gets more water than that in the paddocks. Water runs off the road surface and adds to that which falls naturally. The extra water means that the grass is often lusher than the grass over the fence. Consequently, grass eaters prefer it.

Answer 2

tentofield is right. Water shed from the road makes the grass more lush. Also grass in the barrow ditch is not over grazed by cattle and is better when the grass in the field/ pasture is played out. Also many forbes don't survive grazing by cattle very well but grow good in the ditches. Look next time at the area the deer are prefering. You will most often see that it is greener than nearby areas. No geese here. No gophers here. Skunks dig for grubs. Greener moiter ground means easier digging for fatter grubs.

Answer 3

Deer and many other animals congregate around ecotones or edges of two habitats. For instance, deer eat grass but generally stay close to forested areas. If roads are adjacent to forested areas then the deer are likely to come to the road right a way to eat.

Answer 4

I'm not sure about 'always in the same place'. What i notice about herbivores is that they like to graze in areas where no previous herbivore has grazed before (or recently). Therefore, bolder animals will look to graze areas avoided by more timid animals including near roadways.

Answer 5

Usually this area has been seeded by the Dept. of Transportation /Highway Department...........not to endanger the Deer of course. With all the trees and brush removed, its like a nice buffet table for the animals.

Answer 6

Who told you that they like to eat near the road. Most likely they are trying to cross it. They end up getting hit because people are careless

Answer 7

no real answer just greener over the fence Seriously
because the cows etc have probably eaten all the other grass
or there may be just juicy untouched fresh grass by the road

Answer 8

My theory is that it's often poorly mowed, with more seed-heads.

It could also taste different as a result of its promixity to roads. Salt, for instance.

Answer 9

I've often wondered this...

I think with some animals it may be because there are no predators there, so despite all the nearby cars, it is actually safer.