Why Do Baby Deer Have Spots?

Mental Floss ^ | Aug 8, 2022 | Ellen Gutoskey

[SJackson]

There’s something especially charming about the dappled pattern on the backs of baby deer. But the white spots are more than just adorable: They also help the defenseless fawns stay safe during their early days on Earth.

As Henderson State University biology professor Renn Tumlison explains, the flecks effectively camouflage a fawn by mimicking patches of sunlight that shine through trees and other plants, landing unevenly across the already-varied neutral hues on the forest floor. Without the strength or size needed to outrun a predator, a newborn fawn’s best bet for survival is to simply blend in with the scenery.

[SJackson]

Outdoors/Rural/wildlife/hunting/hiking/backpacking/National Parks/animals list please FR mail me to be on or off . And ping me is you see articles of interest.

[Tell It Right]

Is it because the deers' parents mate in front of trees with white stripes?

To those of you in Rio Linda, that was Bible humor referencing a story in Genesis 30. LOL

[cockroach_magoo]

Why Do Baby Deer Have Spots?

Cut them some slack. Everyone needs their own spot to hang out.

[C210N]

Thanks, great info. I had no eye deer.

[BBB333]

Every spring a doe gives birth to a fawn or two in our field. We close that driveway down for a few weeks to not bother the deer.

This year we had three does with six fawns in the driveway for awhile...

Lovely little things...

[JPG]

H/T Gary Larson

[Psalm 73]

"Why Do Baby Deer Have Spots?"

Because that's how Charles Darwin designed them.

[antidemoncrat]

The second picture above shows why. With the spots they look to blend in with the background.

[dainbramaged]

With the spots they look to blend in with the background.
We have a winner, thank you.

[Albion Wilde]

[x]

So that leopards will be confused and not eat them.

[bert]

There were two in my yard this morning. They are pretty big and the spots as large or larger than golf balls. That’s the first I’ve seen of them this year

What happens is that the doe tells them to lie down and stay put till she comes back and that might be a good while. In the interval, the fawn doesn’t move a muscle. When thee fawn lies motionless in the green grass of my neighbor’s yard or the patch of English Ivy in my yard, the spots don’t make a difference.

Last year one fawn would come alone to our yard and stay for hours. I called it Bambi and am pretty sure it didn’t mind it’s mother. For reasons I can’t fathom, It liked my back yard and came alone, often. Strangely believe that deer grew up in my yard

[Vaduz]

Deer freckles they go away as they age kind of like humans do.

[Nea Wood]

One of God’s most adorable creatures.

[Daffynition]

Sorry. This is a stupid, stupid question.

[Ezekiel]

Well here’s some happy news — this year Lulu is a first-time mom!

I’m sooo proud. Baby Jubilee was born at the beginning of June.

What a little darling.

We have our suspicions for who’s the dad. 😉

[Daffynition]

[Ezekiel]

Ingenious. Toss enough corn on the driveway and the deer’ll have it plowed for ya before dawn.

[Daffynition]