Unusual Deer

[Ann Lanier]

These photos were taken recently in NC. Deer usually have twins after the first year so the mutations are probably 'littermates.' We have deer all over the place here, though not this variety. Be sure to enlarge the photos as these are not 'just' deer.

Has anyone else seen this?

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[dobesign]

Hey E1! Are those PINTOS or PAINTS???:eek::p:D

[Sheila]

The one with the white on face, neck and body is really unusual looking! Must admit I've never seen a deer with markings like that before.

Sheila

[Elaine]

My guess is that they are a random mutation, a form of Pinto called sabino... I'd imagine this mutation pops up from time time, and I'd guess that they are about 50% likekly to pass on the color pattern, unless they breed to each other, and then we're all screwed. The Deer Breeders Association of America (or DRAA) would have the privilege of deciding what to call the color pattern. Problem is, the white is highly visible… I suspect that if DRAA breeders were able to capture this mutation in a breeding program, they’d have deer that are 100 percent guaranteed to be spotted by hunters and predators, so it'd literally be hard to keep a breeding program alive. :(

[Jan]

I was told by my neighbors that a white buck is in the area (NC). Maybe he's been busy.

Jan

[dobesign]

So, let's say these hunters spot the painted ones..."Hey, is that a deer?" "I dunno, looks kinda like one..." "should we shoot it?" "Dang! Too Late..." What they DIDN'T notice was the herd of 300 NORMAL deer running :eek: by while they were staring at the ones dressed in their All Natural Payne Stewart Golf pants...:p:D

[Elaine]

The hunters in our neck of the woods are more likely to have killed, dressed and probably eaten it before they noticed the unusual color. Jan has a story from a few years back, she’d just moved down to this area, she saw a news item… someone saw a woman running naked, bleeding, being chased by some men… but they didn’t call the cops because they weren’t sure a crime had been committed. :( It’s a whole different way of life ‘round these parts.

[Wolfhoundadora]

Wow those are weird, my parents have a white squirrel that hangs around their house but i've never seen "designer deer." Strange. I do agree, it probably isn't a good "survival" color though. :) Maybe they'll be a hit in Paris or something?

[Elaine]

Maybe they'll be a hit in Paris or something?
Or, maybe we could get Paris (Hilton) to carry one around with her and they could become the "must have" status symbol in Hollywood ... where they could get a movie contract and later their own reality T.V. show... and then end up in rehab... with a bad hair weave... and then spend the night in jail... oh wait, that's been done already, more than once. :D

[Ann Lanier]

So, let's say these hunters spot the painted ones..."Hey, is that a deer?" "I dunno, looks kinda like one..." "should we shoot it?" "Dang! Too Late..." What they DIDN'T notice was the herd of 300 NORMAL deer running :eek: by while they were staring at the ones dressed in their All Natural Payne Stewart Golf pants...:p:D

:D O gee, golf pants... and prolly saddle shoes?

I will find out just where, but I know these were taken along the NC coast.

Makes me wonder if these are related to that lady in a cow suit arrested for chasing neighborhood kids and peeing on a neighbors porch. :confused:

There is a point, though, it could give enough pause as to whether it was possibly a cow or a skinny pony to save it's life? Around here (Oregon coast) a cougar would probably not much care WHAT it was....

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[Ann Lanier]

The photos were taken on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. South of Duck, NC.

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