Stretching for 12 miles through western Florida’s mangrove-covered landscape, the Weeki Wachee River gives visitors a chance to see some of the area’s most beloved wildlife up close — including manatees, dolphins, turtles and otters. But one recent boater crossed paths with a creature far more unusual.
Last week, La Guera, a Facebook user known for sharing her Weeki Wachee adventures, posted photos of an unforgettable sight.
As she drifted past the shaded shoreline, she noticed two deer in the distance — one a normal-colored buck, the other sporting a striking mix of white and brown spots.
The second deer was piebald.
Piebaldism is a genetic condition that affects the development of melanin, causing irregular patches of unpigmented skin and fur. It’s extremely uncommon in deer, appearing in less than one percent of the population.
Unfortunately, many piebald fawns don’t make it to adulthood, but the deer La Guera spotted seems to be one of the lucky survivors.
Though La Guera hasn’t revealed the exact location where she found the rare animal, others say they’ve seen the same deer around the Weeki Wachee as well. She doesn’t seem to be particularly afraid of people.
In a follow-up update on Facebook, La Guera shared yet another sighting.
“Guess who I saw on the river AGAIN? This gorgeous piebald deer,” she wrote.
With a bit of luck, this rare deer will continue to roam the beautiful banks of the Weeki Wachee River for years to come — a living reminder of just how extraordinary nature can be.