Ask The Biologist

Designer Footwear

Designer Footwear

By Bob Humphrey

Like most coloration oddities, the cause is likely genetics.

QUESTION: I shot a big buck in 1992 that scored 174. I got a half body mount should have got a full body. Anyway, his front feet are white and on the back feet, one toe is black and the other one is white. Could you tell me what causes this? — Ed

ANSWER: We get a lot of questions about unusual coloration in deer, mostly regarding fur color. Surprisingly, this is the first about hoof color. I say it’s surprising because this abnormality is far more common than piebalds, albinos and other odd fur color variations.

While it could be the result of some physical affliction, that seems unlikely. A far more likely explanation is the same reason for piebalds and albinos: genetics. Though not as extreme as yours, I’ve taken several deer with at least some color variation in the hooves and all seemed perfectly normal otherwise.

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