Roe deer and their white bottoms

[Fnaar]

Saw some Roe Deer while out on the bike today... wouldn't have seen them only for their white bums... so, question is, what evolutionary advantage* could there be to a white ass that gives your position away when you are otherwise quite well comouflaged?

*If you're approaching this question from an intelligent design viewpoint, was it a bad day at the drawing board?

 

[Fnaar]

Saw some Roe Deer while out on the bike today... wouldn't have seen them only for their white bums... so, question is, what evolutionary advantage* could there be to a white ass that gives your position away when you are otherwise quite well comouflaged?

*If you're approaching this question from an intelligent design viewpoint, was it a bad day at the drawing board?

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I suppose it's the same thing as with rabbits' white tails. The flashing of the white when running off signals danger to the rest of herd/collective name for rabbits.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I suppose it's the same thing as with rabbits' white tails. The flashing of the white when running off signals danger to the rest of herd/collective name for rabbits.

 

[Lisa21]

I suppose it's the same thing as with rabbits' white tails. The flashing of the white when running off signals danger to the rest of herd/collective name for rabbits.

Yep, thats what it is....a danger signal

 

[Lisa21]

I suppose it's the same thing as with rabbits' white tails. The flashing of the white when running off signals danger to the rest of herd/collective name for rabbits.

Yep, thats what it is....a danger signal

 

[Fnaar]

It's a compromise of sorts, I guess then. No white bum = better camouflage. White bum = seen by predators/cyclists but better chance of getting away.

 

[Fnaar]

It's a compromise of sorts, I guess then. No white bum = better camouflage. White bum = seen by predators/cyclists but better chance of getting away.

 

[Lisa21]

Its to protect the herd......camouflage would give the individuals safety but the flash of white will alert the rest giving them all more chance of gettin away. Gawd knows what they'd think if they saw mine...its so white they'd think armageddon was coming

 

[Lisa21]

Its to protect the herd......camouflage would give the individuals safety but the flash of white will alert the rest giving them all more chance of gettin away. Gawd knows what they'd think if they saw mine...its so white they'd think armageddon was coming

 

[telesonic99]

God had some tippex left over after making the zebras.

 

[telesonic99]

God had some tippex left over after making the zebras.

 

[Ian H]

We startled a herd of them in the woods above here. I saw white blobs bouncing up and down as if on elastic - no sense of movement away from us, and no sense of animals running. It was a very effective piece of confusion...and then they'd gone.

 

[Ian H]

We startled a herd of them in the woods above here. I saw white blobs bouncing up and down as if on elastic - no sense of movement away from us, and no sense of animals running. It was a very effective piece of confusion...and then they'd gone.

 

[Aperitif]

We startled a herd of them in the woods above here. I saw white blobs bouncing up and down as if on elastic - no sense of movement away from us, and no sense of animals running. It was a very effective piece of confusion...and then they'd gone.

0 deer.