Bambi Wants Blood

Western Tufted Deer @ Columbus zoo

Fullview to see his pink tongue sticking out!

Male Tufted Deer posses upper canines that can grow up to 1" long and protrude from the mouth like fangs. These fangs seem to have replaced the function of antlers in other types of deer. The Tufted Deer do have antlers (under their eponymous tuft), but they are greatly reduced in comparison to other species. During the breeding season, males will compete against one another initially with their smaller antlers, until eventually resorting to battling with their fangs!


_{Photo: KJL90
Camera: Canon Rebel XTi / 400D
Lens: EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Post: Levels, contrast, saturation.}