Raggedy Deer

 
This animal looks a bit mangy and scruffy.  Of course, so do I.  Life under quarantine has kept me from a previously-scheduled visit to my barber.  But I digress.  

As the days grow longer the hormonal levels of whitetail deer begin to change.  For the boy deer in the photo testosterone levels gradually rise.  

As a consequence antler growth begins and the gray winter coat with its thick guard hairs begins to molt.  And it is not at all unusual to find deer hair on the forest floor as a consequence of this process.                

Fluctuating hormone levels twice a year bring-about these seasonal molts and deer alternately grow a faded gray coat consisting of longer guard hairs and replace it with the rusty-roan, red-colored coat of summer.  The red heat-reflecting 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.