A woman stopped her car to let a mother deer and her babies cross the road, but she was stunned when the fawns just kept coming.
Traveler and thrift-shopping enthusiast @laniibugggg captured the adorable encounter on July 25 after spotting the doe leading what appeared to be four young fawns across the street.
At first, she could hardly believe how many babies were following behind the adult deer. Even after taking a second look, more fawns continued emerging as the little family slowly made its way across the road.
The driver waited patiently while the doe carefully watched over each youngster. The fawns stayed close together as they crossed the pavement and slipped through a nearby fence.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
Viewers quickly began wondering whether all four babies actually belonged to the same doe.
Female deer sometimes watch over fawns belonging to other mothers in their herd, especially when they already have a baby of their own. Some commenters suggested the doe may have been acting as a babysitter for several young deer.
“Hunters call them nanny does,” one viewer explained. “They are the doe that everybody else trusts to watch the kids while they chill or eat.”
Others suggested the doe may have taken in orphaned fawns during the spring or summer.
Two of the babies appeared slightly smaller than the others, possibly suggesting they were different ages. However, baby animals from the same litter can also vary in size because some may get more food and resources than their siblings.
Whether she was their mother, their babysitter or a little of both, the devoted doe appeared to have the entire group under control.
Despite having four energetic fawns following her every move, she kept a close eye on each one and safely guided them across the road without any trouble.