What causes are the warty appearing skin growths found on some white- tailed deer?
Hairless tumors found on the skin of deer are called cutaneous fibromas. Wildlife veterinarians believe that biting insects spread the virus that causes these skin tumors. Usually the “warty looking” tumors are temporary and do not cause problems for the deer. In rare occasions, the tumors may be large enough that sight, breathing or walking may be impaired. The tumors and virus are not contagious to domestic animals or humans. Only harvested deer with extremely large tumors and secondary infections should not be eaten.
