Whitetail deer are often subject to a popular misconception: that they are colorblind, seeing only in black and white. Scientific research, however, offers a more nuanced understanding of how these animals truly see their surroundings. This information is valuable for anyone interested in wildlife, from casual observers to dedicated hunters.
Understanding Deer Vision
Deer are not colorblind in the traditional sense of seeing only black and white. Instead, they possess dichromatic vision, meaning their eyes contain two types of cone cells, unlike humans who typically have three. This allows deer to see a limited spectrum of colors, primarily focusing on blues and yellows. Their perception of the world is therefore different from humans, who experience a broader range of hues, including reds and greens. This distinction is foundational to understanding their visual capabilities and how they interact with their environment.
How Deer Eyes Work
Deer eyes are adapted for their lifestyle. They have a high concentration of rod cells, which are highly sensitive to light and movement, making them exceptional at seeing in low-light conditions. These rod cells are also crucial for detecting motion, even subtle movements. Conversely, deer have a limited number of cone cells compared to humans, which are responsible for color perception and fine detail. This anatomical difference means deer have superior night vision but sacrifice some daytime acuity and color richness. A reflective layer behind their retina, called the tapetum lucidum, further enhances their ability to see in dim light by reflecting unabsorbed light back through the photoreceptor cells, which is why their eyes appear to glow in the dark.
The Colors Deer See
Building upon their dichromatic vision, deer distinguish colors primarily in the blue and yellow spectrums. They are particularly sensitive to blue-spectrum light, seeing blues and violets with greater intensity than humans. Reds and oranges, which humans perceive vividly, appear to deer as shades of gray or yellow. A significant aspect of deer vision is their ability to see ultraviolet (UV) light, which is invisible to the human eye. Unlike humans, deer lack a UV filter in their eyes, allowing them to detect UV reflections. This capability influences how they perceive natural elements and human-made objects in their surroundings.
What This Means for Humans
Understanding deer vision has practical implications for humans, particularly for those who spend time in deer habitats. Given that deer are highly sensitive to blue light and can see UV, wearing blue clothing, such as blue jeans, can make a person more visible to deer. Additionally, many common laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain optical brighteners that absorb UV light and re-emit it as visible blue light, causing clothing to appear unnaturally bright or to “glow” to a deer, even if the fabric itself is a camouflage pattern. To avoid detection, individuals interacting with deer might consider using UV-free detergents or specialized products that neutralize UV brighteners in their clothing. While scent and movement remain paramount factors in a deer’s ability to detect humans, adjusting clothing choices based on deer vision can further enhance efforts to remain undetected.