Hey, I am curious as to what this mysterious color is on the coats of the deer in these pictures. Obviously this is on more then one deer.


Is it just rain or is it a seasonal change? Down here in TN we've only had a few or so chilly nights so that may not be it.

Sorry about the wrong dates on the pictures. they aren't that old

They almost look like they are shedding coats for the next season. I'm assuming the date isn't accurate on the photo of January 15th?

seasonal change

I don't have a scientific answer for you but that's just their winter coat coming in. Red in the summer they turn that grey color through the fall and winter. Just getting ready for the cold.
-Jake

Yup seasonal change. They will grow out that gray longer as the days get colder.


Al

I can't seem to get the pictures to pull up right, but from what I can see in the thumbnails, it looks like their fall/winter coat is starting to come in.

Edit: I forgot to add, I think what triggers the change is photoperiod - the changing amount of daylight. It doesn't necessarily depend on temperature. Horses are similar in that regard; we've even been able to keep ours from growing their winter coats by placing floodlights in their stalls at night.

Davy Crockett used to hunt deer "in the red" as the hides in that fur color were especially valuable. It meant hunting more in the spring and summer.