Identical Twins?
 

Can a Doe give birth to two buck fawns, who, given the exact same resources grow up to have identical or nearly identical racks?

I know we've talked a lot about genetics here, and we do have a few Wildlife Bios on here as well, so maybe some of you guys can possible answer this. We've discussed lineages before, seeing bucks grow up to have very similar rack characteristics of a father buck, but does it brother to brother as well?

RE: Identical Twins?
 

I have seen identical bucks together several times. Racks that are not semetrical, but both exactly like the
buck standing next to him. So in my opinion, yes twins can have identical racks.
DW

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Anyone else have input on this? Some evidence would be good as well, trailcam pics, etc. possibly?

RE: Identical Twins?
 

good questiond two excet bucks would be a great trophy on the wall

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Yes it would!

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Heck yes! I have no trail cam pics to prove It but I've watched 1.5 year old bucks that were damn near picture perfect identical In there racks. I've watched a few of these damn near Identical Twin bucks grow till there 2.5 years old only to be shot that year by the neighbor's In gun season. I've seen It a few times, more common then you think I believe.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

I shot an 8pt two years ago with tall brow tinesand an overall tall rack, me and my dad were getting to the cabin near sundown this year and there is a bean field about 1/8th mile before the farm, well we always glass it if we get there with enough light, sure enough, about a month ago we glass and there is an 8 pt buck out there that looks identical to the one I shot. the rack came up tall and then curled out like mine does, the tine lenght seems about the same and does have the same brow tines. Not sure if its a twin brother or the son of my buck. :)

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Here is my proof. I'd say these guys are twins.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

3 years ago I shot a buck, while I was taking all of our stuff back to the truck my buddy wastaking care of of the deer. He swore the bucks twin showed up...

RE: Identical Twins?
 

I may be wrong but i doubt it very much. i believe that nutrients and diets are a crucial parts of antler growth.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

i would definitely say it is possible. Deer give birth very similarly to humans....without getting into it too much. Identical twins occur when an already fertalized egg splits into two in the womb. This would give both of the embryos the exact same set of genetics. Given that they both grew up together eating the same foods and in the same quantities. Then they both definitely have the same potential to grow into the 'same' deer.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

I got to go with you mohunter

No proof or anything behind my theory, I would just think that the nutrients to each buck would differ. Who knows though, sure would be cool to have twin booners come walking buy your stand.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

This is why I said given exactly the same resources - ie: browse, nutrients, carrying capacity of the area, etc.

Janesburg: That is what I was hoping someone would post up. I figured that someone had pictures that show essentially identical bucks. I've always thought it was possible - though not common, but I am still curious to know some others' thoughts on this as well.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

As far as I know, it is possible, but VERY rare in white tailed deer. As some may know, IDENTICAL twins are formed from the same fertalized egg (Zygote) it splits, and the two deer (in this case) are exactly the same, just split the egg and grow independently.

It is far MORE common to have fraternal twins (when there are two fertalized eggs). If the twins are opposite sex, they are fraternal twins.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

I guess it could be possible, yes. Most likely more in the early years though. almost as the pic shows, as those are some young deer.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

If they are identical twins, they are identical twins always.

With anything, you can pick out different charecteristics in Identical twins. Even humans. This doesn't exclude deer.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Id say yes

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Identical twins are very much biologically possible!

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Ok, how about this, given exactly the same nutrition, would/will those two deer pictured above look exactly alike as 5 or 6yr olds?

RE: Identical Twins?
 

My opinion, no they wouldn't. There body's react differently to lack of food, stress, etc. There for there racks would never be exactly Identical.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Identical twins have NEARLY identical DNA, but do not always look exactly the same. So it is really a toss up. They will most likely look virtually the same, but not won't necisarily look EXACTLY alike.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Ya I got that part of things, but I'm just trying to simplify the equation, otherwise we'll have people throwing out all sorts of other variables on us :D

So the question remains still. Do you think at 5 or 6 yrs old, given the same resources, will "identical" twin deer appear, for all intents and purposes, "identical" - ie: same rack size/make up, body size, etc.????

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Given everything the same Yes they would look alike...

RE: Identical Twins?
 

It is unanwerable! Toss a coin! ;)

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Fair argument here. If we keep food availability, pressure, etc. equal across the board does your answer change? Not arguing here either, just curious to see what everyone feels on this.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

Quitter! ;):D

RE: Identical Twins?
 

You got a point Austin! I'd bet they would be hard to tell apart then with the scenario you just gave.

RE: Identical Twins?
 

That was my initial thought as well. If we keep everything equal, would there be a noticeable difference? I'm not convinced there would be. In reality however, this just isn't going to be the case except for very rare circumstances I'm sure. But it is an interesting case study none the less.