When Deer Attack: Flying or Playing?

Have you ever seen a deer ‘fly’ before? That’s what it looks like in this photo, as a buck jumps to attack its unsuspecting companion. At first glance, it might seem like the deer was possessed by some kind of nature spirit, but the truth is much less terrifying.

The buck was probably startled by a spiky tree branch below. Possibly, it was simply trying to play a game with its companion. In fact, according to a study published in The American Midland Naturalist, adult deer playing is a sign of their overall physical and mental well-being. Talk about a night of fun!