"This was one of the most amazing things I have seen in my nearly ten years at Highlands Hammock."
Guest Column
Dorothy L. Harris, Park Ranger
Highlands Hammock and Lake June in Winter Scrub
Florida Park Service July 2002

The discussion between the Rangers that morning included information about an unusual wildlife sighting. It seemed that sightings of a small white “goat” along the entrance drive had been reported. Ranger Bill Brannen told us that he had seen this animal crossing the roadway far into the distance. Determined to find out just what it was, he traveled along a fire-lane on foot, trying to get as close as possible to the small white creature. As he closed in for a good look, the crackle of his two-way radio scared the mystery animal, and it ran off into the woods.
As we all pondered what it could be, comments of “perhaps a calico deer” were entertained. Of course the size was wrong, as the “white deer” that frequents the park boundary near the Sebring Country Club would be an adult by now. The only other “calico deer” that had been seen in recent years was mostly brown with a few white patches, and certainly not small enough to be mistaken for a goat. All agreed to share any information on other sightings of the mystery creature, and then we dispersed.
The next day, Ranger Blake Lewis informed me that he had seen the “calico fawn”, and I shared his story with you in my previous article. By this time I was quite excited and I wondered if this fawn was as “piebald” as our historic “Nellie” from back in the early 70’s. That calico deer was photographed many times by park visitors, and photos of her grace several park albums and office framings.
It also refreshed my memory of the well-mottled deer that was seen just a few times back in the winter of 1993. Although I never had the opportunity to view her, other Rangers had, and a park visitor had taken a lovely photograph of her.
Nellie - ca. 1970
Photo by Barbara Faehale - 1993
These “calico” or “piebald” deer are missing some or nearly all of their fur’s natural coloration. Unlike a “true albino”, which would be completely white and have blue or pink eyes, the calico deer have brown eyes and variations of white or grey mixed with their brown fur. Nellie sort of resembled a Dalmatian dog, while the other calico’s often had large brown patches mixed with smaller white sections.
It is possible too, that the “white deer” that frequents the park’s boundary with the Sebring Country Club, may in fact be a true albino. Photos taken by a Country Club resident when it was just a fawn, showed it to be completely white, at least from a distance.
White Fawn From Country Club Area
An animal’s color is a function of its genetics, which is probably why our “calico deer” seem to cycle every so often. In production species, such as Reindeer, it has been determined that albinism results when both parents carry the necessary recessive gene. If both parents do not carry this recessive tendency, then the dominant gene would automatically “cancel” the recessive gene. The animal would then “carry” that recessive gene, and pass it to it’s offspring, and eventually if one of those offspring then mates with another that does carry the recessive gene, then at that time the trait “reappears”.
Since an animal’s coloration serves as camouflage to hide it from predators, a lack of natural coloration can be deadly. Young fawns have those white spots on their backs-think of Bambi-which serve to resemble dappled sunlight over fallen leaves. Without their natural camouflage, most albino animals are quickly preyed upon, since they stand out in the natural environment.
In our area of Florida, the only natural predators our deer face are bobcats, the occasional panther, and perhaps feral hogs, which may prey on young fawns. With the exception of death from impacts with vehicles, these former predators are the only obstacles to maturity for the deer in the park. Perhaps our protected boundaries afford these “piebald deer” a little bit of extra luck? We may never know the exact reasons why our calico’s made it to adulthood, but they are quite interesting to see regardless.
This of course brings me back to the “goat”. A few days after Ranger Blake saw the fawn, I was driving into the park when I saw an adult deer begin to cross the roadway. I slowed down to allow her to cross, and thought to myself how neat it would be if she were the mother of the calico fawn.

Just then her fawn crossed the road, and upon seeing it was a perfect “Bambi” fawn, I was just a bit disappointed. I stopped my car to watch them a moment, and then I saw it.

I was scrambling for my camera, which I had foolishly left at home that day, and in frustration that I could not record this sighting for anyone, I had to simply sit and observe.
The most beautiful calico fawn and the “regular” fawn had both approached the adult deer and began to suckle. It was the perfect photo, but alas no camera! Another vehicle stopped and they too were able to observe this amazing site. Our suspected “goat” was actually a calico fawn and one of a set of twins too! This was one of the most amazing things I have seen in my nearly ten years at Highlands Hammock.
I excitedly shared my sighting with the other Rangers, who then told of other times they had seen it crossing over the roadway.

We all hoped to eventually take a photo so that we could share this event with our community.

That honor went most appropriately to our Assistant Park Manager Jeanne Parks. She was traveling along the roadway one afternoon in a light rain when she saw the fawn. Jeanne got not one, but four fabulous photos of this extraordinary creature.
If you would like to try your luck in viewing this fawn, the park is open every day of the year, from 8am to sunset, and park admission is still just $3.25 per vehicle for up to 8 people. We are asking that all please travel slowly when you come to or through the park, as some very special creatures reside out here in “the Real Florida”.
Photo by Assistant Park Manager Jeanne Parks
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