One of the rarest creatures has been discovered in the Texas desert.

Desert mule deer  

The desert mule deer is a familiar sight in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, but wildlife researchers recently discovered an exceptionally rare sight while conducting surveys. It was, in reality, one of the "rarest of rare" species.

A one-in-a-million abnormality  

A melanistic (black hair) mule deer fawn, "a one-in-a-million abnormality," was discovered from a helicopter and documented on camera by Texas Parks and Wildlife Trans-Pecos Wildlife District.

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Fort Worth Star-Telegram said  

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram said that "this unusual deer seems all black except for short flashes of white fur as it runs away from the spinning chopper." "It contrasts sharply with the older, larger mule deer racing ahead of it, which is brown and white in color."

Melanocortin one receptor gene (MC1R)  

Melanism is an uncommon, random genetic aberration thought to be caused by mutations in the melanocortin one receptor gene (MC1R), which results in an excess of the pigment melanin, according to the TPWD on Facebook.

Roughly 1 in several million  

"It's difficult for biologists to estimate how many mule deer have this condition, but it's thought to be roughly 1 in several million, making it even rarer than albino (all white hair) or piebald (white spotted) mule deer." "A one-in-a-million occurrence."