Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Fallow Deer 2
White fallow deer are not albinos as their eyes are normally pigmented, although their hooves and noses tend to be lighter than usual. They are cream colored at birth, becoming paler as they mature and adults are almost pure white in winter. No spots are visible in their white coat.
I’ve read conflicting articles about the black fallow deer. Some say that they have no spots at any time of the year and do not have the light area surrounding the tail while others say that their spotting is barely visible.
The common fallow deer is rust color with white rump patch and belly, white spots on back and sides merging into a white line along the lower side and near the rump on the haunches; a black line runs down the back and often connects with the black upper surface of the tail; in winter, spots become indistinct.
The menil fallow deer contrasts with common color form in that ground coloration is tan rather than rust and dorsal lines are brown rather than black; white spotting remains distinct in winter coat
If left alone a herd will develop a mixture of all color variation. The predominance of any color variety is usually down to the management practices in that area.
The spotted and graduated coat make it a master of camouflage and gives them the ability to just disappear in woodland. They will often stand quite motionless and are not seen until they are practically stood on or the movement of a flicking ear gives away their presence. In the open however the large number of eyes and ears in a group makes then a difficult animal to approach.
They look most impressive after the molt, which occurs in summer in June, at this time of year the coat is glossy shiny and clean. During the winter the coat is thicker, rougher and has a thicker undercoat.
