Why do deer stand transfixed by the headlights of oncoming cars? Do they have a death wish?

robert326

As far as I can tell, it doesn't appear to be a death wish. They are temporarily blinded by the light, and freeze in place out of sheer fear. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_a_deer_in_the_headlights_mean Dec 13 10, 10:28 AM

Baloo55th

Same as with rabbits. They can't see outside the light. Ever had a car come towards you on main beam? Could you see anything else? Rabbits (in the UK, anyway) get trapped in headlamps light and run forwards where they can see. Kill your lights for a moment and let them out. Put 'em on again, no rabbit. Problem with deer is they are less quick to manoeuvre than are rabbits. And more messy to hit... (Baloo has never hit a deer, has released quite a few rabbits from headlamp alley, and has had near misses with Forest of Dean sheep who like to sleep in the road, especially on bends.) Dec 13 10, 12:51 PM

satguru

We have the hedgehogs here who either crawl across or roll into a ball, and have also had to stop a few times to make sure they get across. There's even a sign up on the road to alert people here. Dec 13 10, 1:59 PM