Two Rare White Deer Spotted in Iowa: Those Odds Are 1 in 4 Million

There's nothing more Iowa than people stopping alongside the road and yelling "LOOK A DEER!"

A Birthday Surprise in the Wild

An Iowa family had an unforgettable experience on their way home from a birthday dinner when they spotted not one, but two rare white deer along a rural road. Kurt Massimilla, who had been out celebrating his son’s 13th birthday, described the sighting as a surreal and extraordinary moment.

"We were driving home just at dusk on this back road, and all of a sudden, my wife exclaimed, ‘An albino deer!’" Massimilla told SWNS. "Her excitement was like that of a giddy teenager."

At first, Massimilla thought the animal was a white llama due to its striking appearance. He quickly stopped the car and backed up to take a closer look. To their astonishment, there were two of these rare creatures standing together in a field.

Albino or Piebald? Understanding the Difference

It remains unclear whether the deer were true albinos or piebald deer, which are more common but still extremely rare. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), piebald deer have patches of white fur due to a genetic condition known as leucism, which differs from albinism because it does not affect eye pigmentation. True albino deer, on the other hand, are completely white with pink eyes.

Massimilla’s sighting was particularly extraordinary, as experts estimate the chances of seeing two white deer together to be as rare as 1 in 400 million.

A Wildlife Enthusiast’s Dream Come True

The Massimilla family, who recently relocated from Arizona to Iowa, have always had a deep appreciation for wildlife. "We’re big wildlife enthusiasts, so it was amazing to see something so unique," Massimilla shared.

White deer, whether albino or piebald, are a rare sight anywhere in the world, making this family's birthday outing one they will never forget.

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