Reader Question: Are Deer Color Blind?
The answer to this question is yes and no. Deer are not completely color blind but they do have limited color vision.
While deer may be able to distinguish some colors, those colors are likely limited to the warm tones of yellows and oranges, which would explain why deer often seem attracted to orange-colored objects in their environment.
It’s also been observed that deer are more likely to respond to a moving object than one that is still, regardless of its color. This suggests that motion plays a larger role in what catches deer’s attention than color does.
Therefore, while it may be possible to attract deer with certain colors such as orange or yellow, other factors like movement and scent play a much greater role in deer behavior.
In Conclusion
While deer may have some limited color vision, they are not fully color blind and can respond to certain colors like yellow or orange. However, other factors such as movement and scent play a more significant role in attracting deer than color does. Therefore, it is important to consider all of these factors when attempting to attract deer to a particular area.
References:
1. Kie, J.G., et al (2015). Color Vision in White-Tailed Deer. Animals 5(11):1917-1930.
2. McShea, W.J., and Healy, W.M (1999). Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation. Johns Hopkins University Press.
3. Lyons, J., et al (1995). Visual Cues of Deer for Attraction to Feeders or Baits. Wildlife Society Bulletin 23(4):756–760.
4. Rambeau, D., et al (2009). The Effect of Color on Deer Reaction Time to a Moving Target. In Proceedings International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 21st Annual Conference and 64th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada.