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Project Noah Nature School
Odocoileus hemionus
Mule deer, Local subdivision herd, this one is 2 yrs old. The same antler came in really weird last year looks kind of funky already! (we call him "Chet"). Thanks for the ID confirmation!
Alpine forest. 1 mile NE of Florissant Fossil Beds National; Monument, Florissant, Colorado.
Spotted on Jan 26, 2012
Submitted on Jan 26, 2012
7 Comments
It's quite cute!
If I could make a fourth mission, it would be Nature's Deformities or something like that. It's so interesting to see things like this. I have a woodpecker that's bill is super long and curved.
I personally think that Chet may have had a mutation, or the antler bone may have grown like that, kind of like how baby cartilage "hardens" in the position it is set.
I think Chet is a very suiting name. He is adorable.
What a bizarre angle! Anyway, this is definitely a mule deer. Antler abnormalities like this can be caused by genetic mutations, ageing or damage to the pedicle (base) of the antlers a blow to the head (which is common during the rut).
Beautiful Deer!
Great spot!