This rather strange-looking doe was photographed by a trail cam in the middle of the woods. While some deer species have evolved to have diversely shaped ears, the ears on this one look really odd. It seems she lost her ears, maybe to frostbite or it could be a genetic defect.
Her ears almost look like dog ears which might make her look like an overgrown labrador, but they certainly won’t help her in the wild. Larger ears actually help them to detect predators and potential threats in their habitat. Bigger ears also allow them to regulate their body temperature during the summer months by dissipating heat.
Picture Perfect
We don't always expect trail cams to take amazingly candid shots like this, but when they do the outcome is spectacular. The deer is perfectly positioned and while some might say the lens flare from the sun ruins this photo, we happen to think it makes this picture that much cooler.
Typically taking a picture with the sun in the background doesn't get you a good photo, but this camera was lucky that the trees blocked out most of the view. To ensure your trail cam gets incredible shots like this, you might want to set it up with enough space between the camera and the natural backdrop.
Snowy Fox
With heaps of snow, we can just make out a trail of footprints and a snowy white fox in this photo. Foxes are known to be well-adapted to cold and snowy environments and can thrive because of their thick fur which keeps them protected and helps them stay warm in winter.
Their paws are also covered with fur, which helps them walk on the snow without sinking in too deeply. Foxes are also fairly decent hunters in the winter months, as they take advantage of prey that might be easier to spot against a snowy white background. They may even use the snow to their advantage while hunting.
Peek-a-Boo
While bears are intelligent and playful animals, they are not known for playing peek-a-boo in the same way humans do. While bears do engage in play behaviors, their play typically involves physical activities like wrestling, chasing, or climbing. Which is why it's so surprising to see this bear peeking at this trail cam.
As adorable as this bear is, it's still important to remember just how fearsome these creatures can be. Though it might be tempting, it's never a good idea to approach a bear or attempt to play with one, as this can be dangerous for both the bear and humans.
Wolfing Around
Just before this trail cam got snowed over, it caught a few snaps of wild wolves hanging out in the snow. This wolf in particular made eye contact with the camera, or at least that is what it looks like. It could just be that this wolf heard the sound of the camera shutter which made it look this way.
Over time, wolves that are exposed to trail cams may become used to them. In some cases, researchers studying wolves may use camera traps or other camera equipment to monitor their behavior without direct human observation. In these cases, the wolves may soon show little or no reaction to them.