Why are deers stiff when they die and not limp?

I often see them on the road side and it amazes me that they are not limp, but that the legs are straight out and looks like they are just on their sides. Just very curious!Why are deers stiff when they die and not limp?
';Rigor mortis is one of the recognizable signs of death (Latin mors, mortis) that is caused by a chemical change in the muscles after death, causing the limbs of the corpse to become stiff (Latin rigor) and difficult to move or manipulate.[1]';





';Rigor mortis is postmortem rigidity due to buildup of lactic acid, which causes ';the actin and myosin filaments of the muscle fibers [to] remain linked until the muscles begin to decompose.';[2]';Why are deers stiff when they die and not limp?
They are limp at first, but then rigormortis sets in. The same thing happens to people, you just likely havent seen the person that way because the Mortician keeps them from looking quite like the roadkill.
it's called rigor mortis. it's caused by the muscles not being able to relax and then the joints lock into place. depending on the conditions (such as temperature) it can last up to 72 hours.





and yes, when you die, your corpse will experience rigor mortis.





**added note**


coming from a family with lots of deer hunters, i do know that when a deer first dies, it is limp. it takes about 1 hr - 2 hrs for it to get stiff.
Rigomortis (sp?)





Its a condition that sets in after death, and its not just deer that it happens too, it happens to humans too!





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigor_morti鈥?/a>