TEXAS — Biologists found a deer with a rare genetic mutation in the West Texas desert while conducting wildlife surveys in the Trans-Pecos. Upon spotting the deer, they immediately recorded the animal as it quickly galloped across the land.

According to the Texas Park and Wildlife Department, it was a melanistic (black hair) mule deer fawn.

TPWD said they believe that this genetic anomaly is “caused by mutations in the melanicortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) which leads to an over production of the pigment melanin.”

Biologists estimate that one out of several million deer have this rare genetic makeup, although it’s hard to quantify. TPWD explained that this makes seeing an albino (all white hair) or piebald (white spotted) mule deer even more uncommon, saying it’s a one-in-a-million chance.