Albino Deer: Kinnelon Critter File

In the latest Kinnelon Critter File entry, here is one about an Albino Deer. 

Reporting for this story is Emma Whittemore.

This Winter, Chuck Mougalian - a Smoke Rise neighbor - saw an Albino Deer in his backyard.  He said that it was living there for three weeks. Mr. Mougalian explained that this deer didn't look like the other deer. It was mostly white with some other markings.

Lots of people on Fox Ledge Road in Smoke Rise have seen the deer many times.

I was lucky one day when I saw it from my school bus stop, just up the hill from where we were standing.

Once my Mom and I saw an Albino Turkey.  At first I didn't know what it was, but then my Mom told me.

My friend told me that she has seen an Albino Hawk.

The Albino Deer lives in a herd of other deer with normal colors. Albino Deer are known to have some spots on them, but not always. The other deer don't hurt the Albino Deer. They don't really care if they are white. The deer treat it like any other deer.

Please tell us if you have seen any Albino Animals. We would love to know.

Thank you.

According to Buck Manager: All About Albino White-Tailed Deer, "only about one deer in 30,000 is an albino! However, not all white deer are true albinos. Some white whitetails have normally pigmented noses, eyes and hooves. In that instance, it would only be a genetic mutation for hair color but not other pigments." From the photo above, courtesy of Chuck Mougalian, this deer doesn't look to have pink eyes, so it may not be a true albino.

Here are a few other interesting articles I came across about Albino Deer:

• Big Buck Zone: The Mysterious Albino Deer Herd in Wisconsin
• Baby Albino Deer
• Wikipedia entry on Seneca White Deer
• Facts About Albino Deer

Thanks, Chuck, for sharing your photo and story.

If you come across other Albino Animals, as Emma asks, please do let us know.