Organism
White-tailed Deer
TL;DR
The white tail flash of a fleeing white-tailed deer is a simple binary signal: danger/no danger.
The white tail flash of a fleeing white-tailed deer is a simple binary signal: danger/no danger. Predators see the flash and know they've been detected; other deer see it and flee. This demonstrates how simple, unambiguous visual signals can convey critical information instantly.
Notable Traits of White-tailed Deer
- Binary alarm signal
- White tail flash
- Pursuit deterrent