Why does this mature buck have spots along his back?

By Grant Woods,

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← Grant's Answers — Deer Biology
Question
Any chance you would know why a mature deer would have spots? I recently had a buck on my camera that had whit spots along both sides of his spine. I was just wondering if you had ever seen this, and why he still has them.

Thanks,
Ian Murphy

Ian,

That is odd!  The spots are in the same pattern as those on a fawn.  However, deer molt or shed all their hair twice a year.  This buck has obviously been through several molts.  This buck must have a rare genetic trait that programs him to continue growing hair that shows the fawn spots along his spine.

Thanks for sharing the images of this unique buck!

Enjoy creation,

grant