How do spots help a baby deer hide?

Picture a baby deer, called a fawn, resting in the grass. Its soft brown back is covered in small white spots. Can you see them, like drops of milk on brown fur?

A fawn is still small and new to the world. Hiding is how it stays safe. So how do those white spots help a baby deer hide?

The mother deer needs to eat grass and leaves. So she tucks her fawn into a quiet place under tall trees. Then she eats nearby while her fawn waits.

The fawn folds its legs and lies down flat. It keeps its body still, so a hungry animal sees nothing move. It rests low in the grass and shade.

High above, the sun is shining on the trees. Sunlight slips through the gaps between the leaves. It makes bright spots on the dark, shady ground.

The fawn lies still in the shade. Its brown fur looks like the shady ground, and its white spots look like the spots of sunlight. When a fox comes by, what do you think it sees?

The fox sees grass, shade and spots of sunlight. It does not see a deer at all! The fawn's spots help it blend in, which means looking just like the things around it.

The fox trots right past the fawn. The fawn blends in with the grass and the sunlight. So it stays hidden and safe.

The fawn's white spots look like sunlight on the shady ground, so it blends in. Lying still, it stays hidden from hungry animals.

Under the tall trees, the fawn rests quiet and still. Its white spots look like little patches of sunlight on the grass.