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Why Do Baby Deer Have Spots?
Mental Floss ^
| Aug 8, 2022
| Ellen Gutoskey
Posted on 08/09/2022 5:32:50 AM PDT by SJackson
Edited on 08/09/2022 1:56:17 PM PDT by Chris Robinson.
[history]
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at mentalfloss.com ...
TOPICS: Outdoors
KEYWORDS: deer; wildlife
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1
posted on
08/09/2022 5:32:50 AM PDT
by
SJackson
To: Iowa Granny; Ladysmith; Diana in Wisconsin; JLO; sergeantdave; damncat; phantomworker; joesnuffy; ..
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.
2
posted on
08/09/2022 5:33:06 AM PDT
by
SJackson
(nations that are barren of liberties are also barren of groceries, Louis Fisher)
To: SJackson
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
3
posted on
08/09/2022 5:43:41 AM PDT
by
Tell It Right
(1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
To: SJackson
Why Do Baby Deer Have Spots? Cut them some slack. Everyone needs their own spot to hang out.
4
posted on
08/09/2022 5:48:05 AM PDT
by
cockroach_magoo
(“Sure we’ll have Fascism here, but it will come as an anti-Fascism movement.” - Huey Long)
To: SJackson
Thanks, great info. I had no eye deer.
5
posted on
08/09/2022 5:55:12 AM PDT
by
C210N
(Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.)
To: SJackson
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...
6
posted on
08/09/2022 6:11:09 AM PDT
by
BBB333
(The Power Of Trump Compels You!)
To: SJackson
H/T Gary Larson
7
posted on
08/09/2022 6:17:10 AM PDT
by
JPG
(MAGA)
To: SJackson
"Why Do Baby Deer Have Spots?"
Because that's how Charles Darwin designed them.
8
posted on
08/09/2022 6:46:58 AM PDT
by
Psalm 73
("You'll never hear surf music again" - J. Hendrix)
To: SJackson
The second picture above shows why. With the spots they look to blend in with the background.
To: antidemoncrat
With the spots they look to blend in with the background.
We have a winner, thank you.
10
posted on
08/09/2022 7:25:39 AM PDT
by
dainbramaged
(Louis XVI of France and I share a common ancestor, but I still have my head.)
To: SJackson
11
posted on
08/09/2022 8:05:48 AM PDT
by
Albion Wilde
("Liz Cheney, Trump’s personal Javert..."--Michael Anton)
To: SJackson
So that leopards will be confused and not eat them.
12
posted on
08/09/2022 8:08:09 AM PDT
by
x
To: SJackson
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
13
posted on
08/09/2022 8:16:26 AM PDT
by
bert
( (KWE. NP. N.C. +12) Juneteenth is inequality day)
To: SJackson
Deer freckles they go away as they age kind of like humans do.
14
posted on
08/09/2022 8:45:46 AM PDT
by
Vaduz
( )
To: SJackson
One of God’s most adorable creatures.
15
posted on
08/09/2022 9:09:14 AM PDT
by
Nea Wood
To: SJackson; Ezekiel
Sorry. This is a stupid, stupid question.
16
posted on
08/09/2022 9:52:24 AM PDT
by
Daffynition
(*This admin tells us *A* story; but they don't tell us *THE* story* & :) ~ D Bongino)
To: Daffynition; SJackson
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. 😉
17
posted on
08/09/2022 10:10:22 AM PDT
by
Ezekiel
(🆘️𓊹 𓌃 "Come fly with US". Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with Mars ♂️)
To: Ezekiel
18
posted on
08/09/2022 10:13:16 AM PDT
by
Daffynition
(*This admin tells us *A* story; but they don't tell us *THE* story* & :) ~ D Bongino)
To: Daffynition
Ingenious. Toss enough corn on the driveway and the deer’ll have it plowed for ya before dawn.
19
posted on
08/09/2022 10:22:07 AM PDT
by
Ezekiel
(🆘️𓊹 𓌃 "Come fly with US". Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with Mars ♂️)
To: Ezekiel
20
posted on
08/09/2022 10:26:32 AM PDT
by
Daffynition
(*This admin tells us *A* story; but they don't tell us *THE* story* & :) ~ D Bongino)
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