Early this morning I was watering my flowers when I saw two fawns resting under the azaleas in the front yard. When they walked they were still wobbly, so they were probably born today. It was a wonderful reminder of the softer side of life. There is something magical about babies. Of course these adorable fawns won’t be as adorable when they get older and start munching on my hosta.
Their mother wasn’t around, so initially I wondered if they had been abandoned or if she was foraging in the woods. A bit of research and I learned more than I ever knew about fawns. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, fawns are born without scent, that along with the spots on their backs help provide camouflage from predators. Their mother leaves them hidden while she goes foraging for food, coming back to nurse them several times a day. After about 2 months the fawns begin foraging alongside their mother. At about 3 to 4 months old they lose their spots. Interestingly, young males leave their mother after a year, but females may stay for up to two years.
The fawns under my azaleas will probably be gone by morning, or at least in a few days. If you find baby animals, don’t touch them and don’t assume they have been abandoned. If an animal has been orphaned contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you!