Creature Feature – Oh Boy–or Girl!?

Some folks claim that white-tailed deer fawns can be sexed based on the arrangement of their spots—specifically, that male fawns have straight lines of spots along their backs, while females have either scattered or zigzag patterning. Funny enough, there is also an old verse conveying the exact opposite advice: “Spots in a row, it may be a doe. Spots all amuck, it’s likely a buck.” So which is correct?

Turns out neither, as both are merely myths and completely inaccurate. While deer savvy folks may discern fawn gender with some degree of accuracy based on head shape—males typically have boxy shaped skulls, while females have rounded (photo shows male fawn on the right)—the surest way to identify the gender of young fawns is to look between their hind legs. It is possible, however, to determine the sex of older fawns by looking between their ears! Let me explain. 

When male fawns are around 2 months old, small, fur-covered bumps, called ‘pedicels,’ begin growing on the frontal bone of their skulls. These are not true antlers but will form the base from which the antlers will grow when the deer are approximately one year old. Meanwhile, at around 6 months of age, these cute nubbin-topped young ‘uns are called “button bucks.” 

Article by Margie Manthey
Photo by Yvette Barnes