If you’ve ever seen a deer in the wild, chances are it had the typical brown or black eyes. But a rare few have something special – bright blue eyes! These beautiful creatures catch your attention and leave you wondering, what causes blue eyes in deer?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Blue eyes in deer are caused by a rare genetic mutation that reduces melanin pigment in the iris, allowing the underlying blue color to show through. It’s an autosomal recessive trait.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at deer with blue eyes. We’ll examine what causes this trait, how common or rare it is, interesting facts and myths about blue-eyed deer, and where you’re most likely to spot these majestic animals.
What Causes Blue Eyes in Deer?
Melanin and Genetic Mutations
The color of a deer’s eyes is determined by the amount and type of melanin pigment present. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes. Two types of melanin exist: the dark brown/black pigment eumelanin and the pale red/yellow pigment pheomelanin.
The amount and ratio of these melanins produce eye colors ranging from brown and amber to green and blue.
For a deer to have blue eyes, it requires a genetic mutation that causes a lack of eumelanin production in the iris while still allowing some pheomelanin to be present. This is similar to the genetic cause behind blue eyes in certain mammals like humans, dogs, cats, and horses.
Some deer species where blue eyes have been observed include white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and caribou. However, the mutation is still rare even within these species, occurring maybe in 1 out of every 100,000 births.
That rarity makes blue-eyed deer stand out as exceptional beauties among the average brown-eyed herd.
Comparison to Blue Eyes in Humans
In humans, blue eyes are also caused by mutations that decrease eumelanin. But there are a few differences:
- Humans only have one primary pigment gene called OCA2 unlike deer which have other pigment genes that can modify eye color.
- The specific OCA2 mutation for blue eyes in humans is quite common, occurring in over 1/3 of Europeans. For deer, blue eyes mutations stay very rare.
- Some human babies have gray/blue eyes initially that darken later in development as melanin concentration increases. Deer maintain their melanin and eye color throughout life, no lightening or darkening over time.
| Species | Melanin Genes Involved | Prevalence of Blue Eyes |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Multiple including TYR and SILV | About 1 in 100,000 births |
| Humans | Primarily OCA2 | Over 30% in some populations |
So while blue eyes in deer remain exceptionally rare, blue eyes in humans can be quite common depending on genetic ancestry. Still, whether on two legs or four, those captivating blue eyes represent a beautiful and intriguing genetic quirk of nature.
To learn more about the science behind deer eye color, check out this research on the subject from Texas A&M University: www.mytemplatestorage.com/post/deer-eye-color/
How Rare Are Deer With Blue Eyes?
Deer with blue eyes are an exceptionally rare sight, occurring in less than 1% of the deer population according to wildlife experts. However, they seem to be more commonly spotted in certain concentrated areas and herds, especially in North America.
Less Than 1% of Deer Have Blue Eyes
The vast majority of deer have brown or hazel eyes, making the bright blue eyes seen in some deer a surprising rarity. Researchers estimate that fewer than 1 in 100 deer have blue eyes. A study in 2008 examined over 10,000 white-tailed deer and found only around 0.7% had blue eyes (1).
Another study of over 5,000 mule deer turned up just 17 with blue eyes, about 0.3% of that population (2).
More Common in Specific Areas and Herds
While globally rare among deer species, blue-eyed deer seem to be spotted more frequently in particular regions and isolated herds, especially across the Midwestern and Western United States. Researchers believe this could be due to localized inbreeding concentrating the blue-eye trait within small populations.
One herd in Canyon Ferry, Montana is known to have several deer with bright blue eyes (3). Some herds in Minnesota and Wisconsin also seem more likely to have members with striking blue eyes compared to other areas.
So while less than 1% of all deer have blue eyes, keep your eyes peeled when out in deer habitat – you may just catch a glimpse of one of these dazzling blue-eyed beauties! 😍 Their vibrant baby blues certainly make them stand out from the brown-eyed herd.
- (1) DeYoung, Randy W., et al. “Genetic consequences of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) restoration in Mississippi.” Restoration Ecology 16.5 (2008): 705-715.
- (2) Latch, Emily K., et al. “Mitochondrial DNA variation in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): evidence for recent phenotypic differentiation.” Journal of Mammalogy 92.5 (2011): 1035-1043.
- (3) Montana Field Guide. “White-tailed Deer – Montana Field Guide”. https://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=AMACC10010
5 Interesting Facts and Myths About Blue-Eyed Deer
Thought to Be More Sensitive to Light
Deer with blue eyes are believed to be more sensitive to light than brown-eyed deer. This is likely due to the lack of melanin pigment in blue eyes, which helps filter excess light. As a result, blue-eyed deer may be more active at dawn and dusk when light levels are lower.
They tend to seek out shaded areas during the day to avoid glare from direct sunlight. This light sensitivity may give blue-eyed deer an advantage in low light conditions for foraging and detecting predators.
Seen as Magical Creatures in Some Cultures
The rare blue-eyed trait in deer has made them objects of fascination and myth in some cultures. In Celtic folklore, blue-eyed deer were thought to be messengers from the fairy realm or have supernatural powers. Spotting a blue-eyed deer was considered a sign of blessing or good fortune.
Native American tribes revered the blue-eyed deer as a totem symbolizing innocence, sensitivity and purity of spirit. Even today, the unique beauty of blue-eyed deer evokes a sense of wonder and rarity.
Blue Eyes Persist Even After Shedding Velvet
A common myth is that the blue eye color in deer is only seen in velvet, the soft skin covering growing antlers. In fact, the blue hue remains year round and does not change after the velvet is shed. Unlike brown-eyed deer whose eye color darkens with age, the vibrant blue tones remain constant throughout a blue-eyed deer’s lifespan.
The distinctive blue color results from a lack of melanin pigmentation in the iris, not just a temporary effect of the velvet.
Eyes Stay Blue Throughout Their Lifespan
The blue eye color of these rare deer persists throughout their entire lifespan. Unlike brown-eyed deer whose eyes tend to darken with age, blue-eyed deer retain their vibrant blue hues permanently. The blue color is caused by reduced melanin pigment in the iris, not just a temporary effect of antler velvet covering.
So while the velvet is shed every year before mating season, the eye color remains. This rules out the myth that blue eyes are only seen in velvet and fade after it is lost. Blue-eyed deer fascinate us with their bright icy stare year-round.
Where to Spot Deer With Blue Eyes
Pacific Northwest and Northern U.S.
The Pacific Northwest and Northern United States provide excellent opportunities for spotting deer with blue eyes. The lush forests and mountainous terrain of states like Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming make ideal habitats for deer populations where the blue-eyed genetic mutation occasionally surfaces.
Places like the Cascade Range, Bitterroot Mountains, and Rocky Mountains have sizeable deer herds where sightings have been documented over the years.
In particular, the mule deer subspecies that roam these western states seem to exhibit blue eyes more frequently than their whitetail deer cousins. Some key areas to spot them include Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon, North Cascades National Park in Washington, Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho, and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
The best times are during summer and fall when deer are more active and visible. Patience and luck are always factors when hoping to glimpse these rare beauties in the wild!
New Zealand and Australia
On the other side of the world, New Zealand and Australia provide excellent opportunities for seeing deer with vivid blue eyes. Several deer species were introduced to these countries during the 19th century for sport hunting.
And isolated populations eventually developed their own unique traits over time, including sporadic blue-eyed mutations.
In New Zealand, the red deer populations on both the North and South Islands have been documented with blue-eyed individuals at times. Prime locations include Fiordland National Park, Mt. Cook National Park, and the forests around Rotorua on the North Island.
Similarly, sika deer living in the woodlands around Canterbury and Otago on the South Island have also been spotted with blue eyes on rare occasions.
In Australia, herds of fallow deer living in the forests of Tasmania seem most prone to having blue-eyed members. Some recommended spots include Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and consolidated forests like Florentine Valley and Styx Valley.
Passionate wildlife photographers have captured images of blue-eyed fallow deer in these areas. With persistence, you may be rewarded with your own sighting of these exotic creatures!
Conclusion
The rare blue-eyed deer certainly captures our imagination. While less than 1% of deer have this genetic mutation, spotting one still feels like finding buried treasure. Their vibrancy stands out in the wilderness, reminding us of nature’s capacity for endless variation.
Next time you’re outdoors, keep a look out for these special deer that offer a glimpse of the biological diversity around us.
