As you can see in my photo of these twin Whitetail Fawns, their spots are fading. The spots on Whitetail Fawn furs fade at around three to four months old.
The Spots That Shield: A Natural Camouflage
Fawns are born with distinctive white spots on their reddish-brown coats, which provide excellent camouflage against predators. These spots are thought to be an evolutionary adaptation to help protect fawns from danger in their early days. The spots act as disruptive camouflage, breaking up the outline of the fawn and making it harder for predators to see.
The Gradual Vanishing Act
As fawns grow and become more mobile, they start to lose their spots. This process typically begins at around three to four months of age and takes several weeks to complete. The spots will gradually fade and eventually disappear, as the fawn’s fur changes to a more solid brown color.
A Sign of Independence
The loss of spots is an important part of a fawn’s life cycle, as it signifies a transition from a dependent young deer to a more independent, self-sufficient animal. Fawns that are no longer spotted are more difficult to spot by predators and are better able to defend themselves from danger.
Capturing the Moment
I was near the 4-corners intersection at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma when I spotted these two fawns. I had my camera and lens resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup to capture this shot. As you can see, these twins are right at the age where their spots are fading, marking an essential transition in their young lives. I feel fortunate to have captured this special moment.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
- Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM
Technical Details:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date & Time Taken: September 12, 2018 (07:14:01 A.M.)
- Aperture Priority
- Aperture: f5.6
- Shutter speed: 1/160 sec. and 1/200 (as determined by the camera)
- ISO: 2000 and 1000
- Exposure Compensation: 0 EV
- Focal Length: 400 mm
Witnessing the transition of these Whitetail Fawns as their spots fade is a remarkable experience. It’s a symbol of their journey towards independence and survival in the wild. Nature’s wonders never cease to amaze, and I’m grateful to have been able to capture this moment.
FAQs
- Why do Whitetail Fawns have spots? Whitetail Fawns have spots to provide them with natural camouflage and protection against predators during their early days.
- At what age do Whitetail Fawns start losing their spots? Whitetail Fawns typically begin to lose their spots at around three to four months of age.
- How long does it take for Whitetail Fawns’ spots to disappear completely? It takes several weeks for Whitetail Fawns’ spots to gradually fade and eventually disappear.
- Why is the loss of spots significant for Whitetail Fawns? The loss of spots signifies a transition from dependency to independence, allowing them to better defend themselves against predators.