The Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) is well-known to have a conspicuous pattern of colouration on the hindquarters.
This is most noticeable in the winter pelage, and in posteriolateral view (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97295280 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/72504627 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68344771 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61732504).
However, what also requires description and explanation is a conspicuous pattern on the forequarters, which is most noticeable in profile and in a posture in which the inner foreleg is exposed.
The feature in question is complex, consisting of
In having a conspicuously pale inner surface, the foreleg differs from the hindleg (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36167595).
In this and other ways, the pattern makes little sense in terms of countershading (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countershading).
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/101206028 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/101171620
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97075871
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75142350
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/69512342
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68901309
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54358694
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52417150
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51659800
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16922321
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10708031
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4126822
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3213126
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/205313614 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/205313616 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/205313613
Comments
The following shows that, in Odocoileus hemionus hemionus in summer pelage, the ischiocaudal feature is not conspicuous enough to qualify as a bleeze:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/70688799
Shift to beneficially bloodshot
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/70023253
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68110197
@beartracker
In Odocoileus hemionus hemionus in winter pelage, there is a posterior auricular semet (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66559529 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112210692 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/140271223).
As in several other clades of Cervidae, this feature disappears in adult males (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/101953811).
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65727910
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/64120881
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61359065
Vibrissae
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61034680
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/60488411
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59196205
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58750030
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57505211
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56971805
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56724490
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56287649
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44501802
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54277495
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38488811
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38082007
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36536494
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35843351
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35437797
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29929059
Odocoileus hemionus hemionus in summer pelage:
The following show the ischiocaudal colouration. What is a bleeze of the winter pelage no longer qualifies as a bleeze in summer pelage.
The disqualification is partly owing to the thinning of the pelage around the perineum, exposing the skin.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29211428
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/21529733
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14120179
anterior auricular semet
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/26496769
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/23210156
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18224035
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4658314
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4171359
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/205409691
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