DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK

[Lee Borgersen]

 
DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK - Fur coat of deer
Q: The fur coat of a deer changes colors depending on the time of year - a reddish color in the spring and brown in the fall. Why does this happen?

A: The deer's coat is designed to provide both a means for thermo-regulation and camouflage. Summer coats appear reddish and are thin, allowing deer to better cope with heat stress. In the fall, deer begin a process of molting, which is triggered by hormonal changes that reflect the changing seasons. The reddish summer coat turns into a faded gray or brown color as the new winter coat begins to grow. The new coat is comprised of two layers. The outer guard hairs are hollow, stiff and grow about two inches longer than the undercoat. The inner layer is soft and dense which insulates deer from the cold weather and snow. Coat color, regardless of the season, tends to be darker in forested areas and lighter in agricultural areas, where deer are exposed to more direct sunlight.