Several people have tried to debunk this trail cam photo, saying that it was either some type of prop, or CGI, but they haven’t quite been able to accurately define what this is. So, what exactly are we looking at? Is it some kind of strange creature we’re not familiar with?
We could be wrong but it almost looks like it could be some type of foliage falling from the nearby tree. If it was just a leaf or an acorn or something, then it must be pretty close to the camera to make it look so big. That’s our best guess. What do you think it could be?
Pronking
Stags are known as stoic creatures, silently roaming their territory while showcasing all the dignity that comes with the job of being a majestic deer. However, it looks like they also enjoy letting loose every once in a while, as proven by this photo of this deer hopping in front of this trail cam.
The hopping gait that this deer is using is called "stotting" or "pronking", and as we can see he's jumping with all four legs off the ground at the same time. He's probably in a rush and trying to catch up to his friend. Or it could be that he's just in a really good mood and feels like pronking.
It's Business Time
Trail cam footage of a fox can be an interesting and educational glimpse into the life of this elusive and often nocturnal animal. But sometimes, it's just footage of an unsuspecting fox doing its business in the woods. Fortunately, the sound of the camera didn't startle this fox, otherwise, he would have run away.
While still mildly interesting, it's not exactly what we expect to see when scrolling through footage. Some might even say that this is the fox's natural display of dominance in order to establish its territory. By doing so, foxes can reduce competition in their area while also maintaining scarce resources.
Mama Bear With Her Cubs
Sometimes, a mama bear decides to take a leisurely stroll through the forest with her two cubs would follow closely behind her. On this particular night, Mama Bear stumbled upon a beehive in the middle of the forest. Honey is always a hit with bears, just ask Winnie the Pooh.
Not only are these captures great to see but they also provide biologists and researchers with important data when it comes to animal populations in certain areas. This trail cam is situated in Northern Florida and the data can help protect and conserve different species and help keep the ecosystem healthy.
Symbiosis
Here’s an example of symbiosis we never knew existed. For those of you who don't know what symbiosis is, it's when two different species of animals form a relationship that can be mutually beneficial for both. In this example, a possum gets an easy snack and the deer gets a free cleaning.
The most well-known symbiotic relationships are between birds that clean out the parasites from crocodiles' textured skin and fish that eat parasites from shark's underbelly. This, however, is something we haven't seen before. Isn't this neat? We can't help but wonder if deer actively seek out possums for this.