A rare piebald deer was spotted and photographed near Sligo Creek in Takoma Park on Sunday. The photo was taken by Eric Hensal and shared in the Capital Naturalist Facebook group, where it quickly attracted attention. The post received more than 2,000 likes within its first 12 hours.
Piebald deer are considered rare, typically accounting for less than 1% of the white-tailed deer population. The distinctive animals have patches of white and brown fur, with the amount of white varying considerably from deer to deer. The condition is different from albinism. Albino deer lack pigment and typically have an entirely white coat along with pink eyes, noses and hooves.
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the piebald appearance is caused by a genetic variation rather than a parasite or disease. “The Piebald anomaly genetic variation (defect) produces the piebald condition in white-tailed deer, not parasites or diseases,” DNR states. “Piebald deer are colored white and brown similar to a pinto pony. Sometimes they appear almost entirely white.”
DNR notes that some piebald deer can also have physical characteristics including a bowed or “Roman” nose, short legs, an arched spine or a shortened lower jaw. Piebald deer sightings are becoming more common the D.C. area, with several photos and videos shared in recent years.
