Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 12, 2010, 10:47:15 AM
Piebalds:
The term Piebald means "of different colors". This term is usually associated with horses, though we normally refer to such horses as pintos, paints, or Appaloosas. A piebald animal is one whose hair or fur has a spotted, rather than a solid color pattern. Depending on what part of the U.S you are from piebald deer are sometimes referred to as pintos.
A genetic variation or "defect" is what produces the piebald condition in deer. It is not a result of parasites or diseases. Piebald deer are colored white and brown similar to a pinto horse. Sometimes they appear almost entirely white.
Many piebald deer have some of the following conditions associated with the coloration; bowing of the nose (Roman nose), short legs, arching spine (scoliosis), and short lower jaws.
It is said that Piebalds consist of less than 1% of the deer population
Many people confuse the piebald deer with the albino deer.
Albino:
Albino deer are totally white, and true albinos have pink eyes from a lack of pigement in their eyes. Albanism results from recessive genes.
White deer are naturally easily mistaken for albinos, which they are not. The true albino, besides having all white hair, also has pink eyes and pink hooves, something the white deer do not have.
Both the white deer and the albino deer, and perhaps, to a lesser extent the piebald deer, are at a disadvantage in the wild as they are easily spotted except in conditions of heavy snow. This lack of camouflage, along with poorer health keep the population of these abnormally colored deer low.
Melanistic:
Melanistic deer are the complete oposite of an Albino. Being very dark, often approaching totally black. Melanism results from overproduction of pigment and is far less common than albinism or Piebald.
Post by: wilsongideon on February 13, 2010, 11:19:48 AM
Post by: alecvg on February 13, 2010, 11:21:12 AM
Post by: jackelope on February 13, 2010, 02:55:17 PM
Post by: lokidog on February 13, 2010, 03:57:15 PM
Post by: bucklucky on February 13, 2010, 04:17:21 PM
Post by: ouchfoss on February 13, 2010, 04:36:04 PM
I saw a piebald doe standing right along highway 108 not to far from Kamilche and it had 2 yearling does with it and one was a piebald as well. Never had a camera with me at the time though. :bash:
Post by: jackelope on February 13, 2010, 09:59:52 PM
courtesy of Ricochet...
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 14, 2010, 10:47:23 AM
Come to think of it I have a yearling WT Piebald hide tanned in the shop. Forgot all about it til I came back to this thread.
I have worked on 3 piebalds and have skinned out several others.
Post by: wilsongideon on February 14, 2010, 04:00:31 PM
Post by: jackelope on February 14, 2010, 08:44:27 PM
Post by: NWBREW on February 14, 2010, 08:54:51 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 14, 2010, 08:57:56 PM
there's no such thing as half albino or part albino....they either are or they aren't albino.
Kinda like saying your a little bit pregnant. You either are or your not. :chuckle:
Yes, bucks can be either of the three. Melanistic, Piebald, or Albino. There are more does than bucks so naturally you would see more doe with color deformities.
Post by: ouchfoss on February 21, 2010, 10:12:20 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on February 21, 2010, 10:53:51 AM
Post by: DeerHarvester on February 21, 2010, 02:43:43 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 21, 2010, 03:22:04 PM
Maybe momma had a love affair with Sasquatch, lol.
Post by: wilsongideon on February 21, 2010, 05:07:22 PM
Post by: boneaddict on February 21, 2010, 05:22:30 PM
Post by: bucklucky on February 21, 2010, 07:10:54 PM
Mich , that would be a Bear / Deer cross if you didnt get that LOL!!
Post by: ouchfoss on February 21, 2010, 08:14:55 PM
Ouchfoss what is with the cream spot on it's side? I do not believe a deer has to be totaly black to be considered melanistic. That is just a funky looking deer with that long hair.
Maybe momma had a love affair with Sasquatch, lol.
:chuckle: Forks isnt too far away, it could have been a warewolf too. :chuckle:
That deer definetly has long hair though. Of all the years ive been hunting, I've never seen one quite as "sheeplike" as that one. It must have something going on with its hair or skin to be so dark colored and fluffy. Im hoping that deer makes it through the winter so I can see if it still has the dark color later on in the summer and maybe get some more pictures.