Last time I seen one was at the Medford WMA about 25 years ago but the doe was not all white just some of her................................. Ever see a Leucistic white-tailed deer? Now’s the opportunity to visit the Cape May County Park Zoo to see Cotton, a very rare specimen that is totally white with blue eyes.
Students who participated in the Cape May County Student Government Day Tue., April 24 were among the first to learn of the creature from Parks Director Michael Laffey.
Laffey said the odd deer is approaching his first birthday, and can be seen at the zoo’s North American Prairie area with the rest of the white-tailed deer and pronghorn.
The zoo received the deer from the N.J. Fish and Wildlife. Cotton will mark his first birthday in June, Laffey said.
Laffey explained that a Leucistic deer is often confused with an albino, which has pink eyes. Leucism is defined as the absence of pigmentary skin cells. They retain pigment in other organs such as the eyes. Because of that, Leucistic animals have colored eyes, he continued. “In this case, Cotton has blue eyes. Albinism is defined as the absence of melanin producing cells. Albino animals can appear diffusely pale-white and will also have pink eyes as melanin is the primary pigment in the iris of animals.
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/pets and animals/court house/82322-zoo039s newest wonder blueeyed white deer
Students who participated in the Cape May County Student Government Day Tue., April 24 were among the first to learn of the creature from Parks Director Michael Laffey.
Laffey said the odd deer is approaching his first birthday, and can be seen at the zoo’s North American Prairie area with the rest of the white-tailed deer and pronghorn.
The zoo received the deer from the N.J. Fish and Wildlife. Cotton will mark his first birthday in June, Laffey said.
Laffey explained that a Leucistic deer is often confused with an albino, which has pink eyes. Leucism is defined as the absence of pigmentary skin cells. They retain pigment in other organs such as the eyes. Because of that, Leucistic animals have colored eyes, he continued. “In this case, Cotton has blue eyes. Albinism is defined as the absence of melanin producing cells. Albino animals can appear diffusely pale-white and will also have pink eyes as melanin is the primary pigment in the iris of animals.
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/pets and animals/court house/82322-zoo039s newest wonder blueeyed white deer
