Research shows deer urine is shiny and used for communication
During the breeding season, male white-tailed
White‐tailed Deer Signpost Photoluminescence - DeRose‐Broeckert - 2025 - Ecology and Evolution - Wiley Online Library
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.72618
Glowing urine and shining bark: Scientists discover the secret visual language of deer
https://phys.org/news/2025-12-urine-bark-scientists-secret-visual.html
When Male Deer Mark Trees, Those Spots May Glow Like Neon Lights at Dusk and Dawn, Though Humans Usually Can't See Them
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-male-deer-mark-trees-those-spots-may-glow-like-neon-lights-at-dusk-and-dawn-though-humans-usually-cant-see-them-180987949/
During mating season, male white-tailed deer, whose testosterone levels soar, reinforce their territorial stance by peeling bark off trees, rubbing their forehead glands against the trees, and digging their hooves into the ground and urinating on them. While it's long been known that deer leave these markings to share scents, a research team from the University of Georgia speculated that there may be a hidden visual element hidden within the markings that humans can't see.
The research team surveyed forests owned by the University of Georgia and collected a total of 146 markers left by white-tailed deer. They illuminated each with two wavelengths of ultraviolet light, replicating the conditions of dusk and dawn when white-tailed deer are most active. They then measured the wavelengths re-emitted by each marker. For comparison, the researchers also illuminated intact bark, intact soil, and fallen leaves with the same ultraviolet light.
The results showed that the light emitted by the markers displayed a striking contrast with the surrounding environment, potentially making them highly visible to deer, who are known to be able to see ultraviolet light. Some markers emitted light visible to the human eye. Furthermore, markers made in October and November, just before the breeding season, were significantly brighter than those made in early September.
It has been confirmed that certain chemicals are present under the bark peeled off by white-tailed deer, but it has not been confirmed whether the chemicals themselves glow, or whether they glow by reacting with other chemicals in the bark or sap. Deer urine contains phosphorescent chemicals such as porphyrins and amino acids, but it is not yet known whether white-tailed deer can actually recognize the light emitted from these substances.
White-tailed deer markers are thought to serve the purpose of both intimidating rival males and sending strong signals of affection to nearby females.
The research team said, 'The idea that deer and other mammals can see light in natural light is still a hypothesis. However, this discovery suggests that deer have a secret visual language that is invisible to humans, and provides new insights into how white-tailed deer perceive and communicate with their environment.'
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