Raggedy Deer

 



This animal looks a bit mangy but he's probably just scruffy.  As the days grow longer the hormonal levels of whitetail deer begin the change.  For boy deer testosterone levels gradually rise.  As a consequence antler growth begins and the gray winter coat with its thick guard hairs begins to molt.

Hormonal changes bring about a molting process twice a year and deer alternately grow a faded gray coat consisting of longer guard hairs and replace it with the rusty red-colored coat of summer.  The summer coat will only last about three months before the critter begins to regrow the extra layer of longer, stiffer, hollow hair over the softer hair closer to the skin.  

Until the transition is complete the local whitetails are going to continue looking a bit raggedy.   

The Labs are going thru their spring molt too. 

Hair everywhere.  Yeesh.