Some Mutations In Deer (Part 1)
1) Cactus Bucks
Mutated antlers that form out-of-place lumps not suitable for antler fights. These lumps may cover deer eyes and ears, and can cause pain. Usually caused by injuries to the back legs (causes hormone inbalance) or damage to the antler base (pedicles). Can be shed (with difficulty) but may return next year if aforementioned injuries persist.
2) Drop Tines
Another antler mutation caused by injuries to back legs or antler pedicles, or just old age if it's in their genetics. Rather common for a mutation. Generally harmless besides getting stuck on trees, won't usually cause problems with antler locking. Can be shed off and be gone next year, or may return.
3) Uniantler
Different than a buck in the middle of shedding antlers who has lost one, these bucks have only grown one. Caused by nutrition, genetics, or damage to back legs or pedicles. Weight difference may caused balancing issues, may be difficult to fight with, and does may find unappealing. May be shed and regrow a pair the next year, may be permanent.
4) Multiantler/Multibeam
Buck with two "main beams" on one antler where tines grow from. Like most antler mutations, caused by nutrition, genetics, or damage to back legs or pedicles. Usually shed and not repeated but it may be recurring.
5) Cowhorn buck/Tineless buck
Different from Spike Bucks (which are a natural stage of yearlings having small antlers with no tines yet) these are older bucks that should have tines at this age. Caused by nutrition, genetics, or damage to back legs or pedicles. Difficult to fight with, cannot antler lock, may be dangerous to the opponent and the owner of the antlers himself. Usually shed and done with but very rarely may keep recurring for life.
6) Leucistic
Far more common than Albino but often mistaken for them, these deer are mostly white and are missing a good amount of melanin that would give their body it's natural coloration. They blend poorly into the environment and may sunburn easily. They may also have sensitive eyes and weakened eyesight.
7) Albino
True albino deer are far more rare than leucistic. These deer have no melanin in their skin and pelt whatsoever. They hide poorly and their skin burns quickly in the sun. They also have eyes very sensitive to light, and vision difficulties.
8) Antlered Doe
These intersex deer have high testosterone for does. They may have a variety of sex chromosome conditions that cause this, or simply plenty of testosterone to go around. They may be infertile, fertile in theory but not affected by heat hormones in rut season, or be fully fertile. They may never shed their antlers, never shed their antler velvet, or shed both normally, depending on testosterone levels. They may challenge and be challenged in antler battles, or avoid battles.
9) Antlerless Buck
These sometimes-intersex deer have low testosterone levels for a buck. This may be due to sex chromosome conditions, damage to the testicles, or just naturally low testosterone. They will never grow antlers, and will rarely if ever mate as a result. They may be infertile, be fertile but not be affected strongly by rut hormones, or be fully fertile.
10) Polydactyly
This mutation is a growth of extra digits on the hooves. As shown above, this may include extra dewclaws, extra feet entirely, or an extra hoof, but there are any number of other variations. This can be caused by genetics or poor fetal development. They may struggle to walk, run, groom, and fight. This is permanent for the rest of their lives.
