FAWN OVER THIS

A fawn is a baby deer.  They are small and have white dots on their back.  Here's what you should know.  It's a testament to motherhood.

If you find or just come across a fawn lazing around in your yard or a park, don't worry that it is an orphan.   It's very normal that it be alone.  To reduce the risk of a predator locating her fawn, a doe seeks seclusion just prior to birth, trying to be less conspicuous by avoiding other deer.  For the first few weeks of the fawn's life, the doe keeps the fawn hidden except for suckling bouts.  The mother may also feed and bed a considerable distance from the fawn's bed site.  This way, even if a predator detects the doe, the fawn may still have a chance of avoiding detection.

To further keep her fawn safe from predators, the doe consumes the fawn's urine and droppings to keep it as scent-free as possible.  The droppings provide the mother with further nutrition at a time when it is much needed.

When not nursing, the fawn curls up in a bed site and remains motionless; its white spots blending in well with the sun-flecked ground.  Fawns lose their spots at 90 to 120 days of age, when they begin growing their winter coats.

So, if you see a fawn, take it's picture and let it be.  Mama is probably somewhere nearby.

Info copied from my favorite photographer, Andrea Pico Estrada.  Follow her on IG.
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