Full Answer
Why is it called a mule deer?
The Mule Deer is so named because of its large prominent ears, which are reminiscent of those seen in mules. They are also sometimes known as the Burro Deer. A large stocky species of deer, Odocoileus hemionus are generally larger in size than their close relative the White Tailed Deer.
What does a mule deer look like?
These deer have large ears, which look very much like those of a mule. Read on to learn about the mule deer. This species is quite large, and some individuals can stand over 42 in. tall at the shoulder. Most weigh no more than 331 lbs. but some individuals have reached up to 460 lbs.
Why do people hunt mule deer?
Just like their whitetail cousins, hunting is an important population control for mule deer. Because human activity suppresses large predators, deer populations boom. This population boom causes disease and starvation. Of course, some subspecies have very small populations, and laws protect them from hunting for this reason.
How are mule deer adapted to their environment?
Mule deer are adapted to arid, rocky environments. They thrive in habitats that have a combination of early-stage plant growth, mixed-species plant communities, and diverse and extensive shrub growth. A mixture of plant communities provides better forage than any single species.
Why do deer have big ears?
The large external ears (or pinnae) of the deer work somewhat like a satellite dish. They help to amplify the sound (just like cupping your hands behind your ears), but because they can move independently of each other they also help the deer evaluate what is happening in all directions.
Do mule deer have big ears?
Mule deer's defining characteristic are their large ears, which are about three-fourths the length of the head. They have a distinctive black forehead, or mask, that contrasts with a light gray face. In the summer, mule deer are tannish-brown and in the winter are brownish-gray in color.
What is special about the deer ears?
A deer's hearing, being far superior to that of a human, can easily detect the faintest of sounds. In fact, it is believed that a deer's hearing is so sensitive that it can determine how far away a sound was made. A deer's hearing is one of the reasons that it is so difficult to sneak up on one without being detected.
How big are mule deers ears?
20 to 22 inchesTo accurately judge antler spread, we can use a buck's ear width as a gauge. On the average mature mule deer buck, with its ears in an alert position, he will have an ear span of 20 to 22 inches tip-to-tip. But I have measured large specimens with ear tip to tip spans up to 26 inches.
What two animals make a mule deer?
The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer indigenous to western North America; it is named for its ears, which are large like those of the mule. Two subspecies of mule deer are grouped into the black-tailed deer....Mule deerOrder:ArtiodactylaFamily:CervidaeSubfamily:CapreolinaeGenus:Odocoileus19 more rows
What tastes better whitetail or mule deer?
I don't discern much difference in taste between the two and feel a good mule deer is every bit as good eating as a whitetail. The only thing I have noticed is that in the rut, mule deer bucks seem to be gamier smelling than a whitetail buck and the meat can be stronger tasting when they are rutting hard.
What is the lifespan of a mule deer?
9-11 yearsMule deer usually live 9-11 years in the wild and can live to be much older when in captivity. These deer range from 3.0-3.5 feet tall at the shoulder, 4.5-7.0 feet long and have a tail that is 5.0-8.0 inches long. they can weigh between 130-280 pounds. The female deer are smaller than the male.
Do deer recognize humans?
They first recognize you at a distance when they see you, then verify your smell as you get closer, while listening all the time. They tend to ignore you if you're on their “safe” list, and move away if you're someone who hassles them.
Why do deer pee on themselves?
Urine even plays a role in relating emotional state! Bucks rub-urinate when threatening each other during the rut; females can chase a fawn away by rub-urinating; and fawns can call their mom by peeing their pants. Rub-urination is a deer's answer to a socially stressful situation.
Can mule deer breed with whitetail?
Whitetail bucks will breed with mule deer does, and the offspring usually retain the whitetail characteristics. Reverse mating — mule deer bucks to whitetail does — is rarer. So where the two species share a common range, the whitetail tends to dominate.
What's the biggest mule deer ever shot?
Sporting a gross score of 303 0/8 inches and a net score of 291 1/8 inches, the Bennett buck surpasses the former world record non-typical mule deer by 16 2/8 inches, a mark that had stood since Ronald Reagan was President of the United States.
What is considered a trophy mule deer?
Scores above 145 points would indicate a trophy mule deer buck. The Pope and Young Club accepts typical scores greater than 145 points and non-typical scores greater than 170 points. The Long Hunters accepts typical scores greater than 146 points and non-typical scores greater than 175 points.
How do you identify a mule deer?
4:188:426 Tips To Help You Find Mule Deer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo finding glassing points is gonna be super super important but also don't just figure like ohMoreSo finding glassing points is gonna be super super important but also don't just figure like oh here's a high ridge. It's gonna be a glassing area i want to find a spot where i could glass.
How do you tell the difference between a whitetail deer and a mule deer?
The differences in the tails of these deer is the best and easiest way to differentiate between the two species. Mule deer have a white rump and a tail with a black tip at the end of it. Whitetail deer have a brown rump and only the underside of its tail is white.
How can you tell the difference between a black tail and a mule deer?
A blacktail has a wider tail than a mule deer, and it will be more solidly black, with a white fringe at the bottom and a white underside. A blacktail has smaller glands on the insides of its rear legs than a mule deer does, and those glands are located lower down on the leg.
What is the difference between elk and mule deer?
The main differences between an elk and a mule deer are that elk are larger, live in large groups, and live in multiple regions globally. Mule deer are smaller, live in small groups, and only live in Central and North America. Both elk and mule deer belong to the Cervidae family, classifying them as “true deer”.
What do Mule Deer Look Like?
The Mule Deer is so named because of its large prominent ears, which are reminiscent of those seen in mules. They are also sometimes known as the Burro Deer.
What is the color of mule deer's tail?
Tail. The Mule Deer’s tail is different from that of the White-Tailed Deer’s. Although it is quite long, it is not bushy. In color the tail is white, but has a black tip. The exact coloring of the tail can vary between individuals, with some animals having no black tip.
Where are mule deer native to?
Mule Deer. Named for their large, mule-like ears, Mule Deer ( Odocoileus hemionus) are indigenous to western North America and can be grouped into two subspecies of black-tailed deer. Mule Deer are related to White Tailed Deer, a more widely distributed species native to North America, with key differences in range, ear shape, tail color, ...
How long does it take for a buck to grow antlers?
The antlers regrow quickly, reaching their full size within 150 days, at which point they shed their velvet. The antlers reach their full size when the buck is usually in there 3rd year. Mature bucks normally have a total of 8 tines, 4 on each antler, although it is common for bucks with fewer tines to be seen.
How long do deer live?
In the wild they have a maximum lifespan of 10 years, but in captivity they have lived to be as old as 25 years. How long deer live is generally dictated by the environmental conditions of their surroundings.
What is a male buck called?
Males, which are commonly called bucks , are typically larger and heavier than the females or does.
How long are antlers?
The antlers branch into equally sized forward and backwards forks. The antlers can be up to 78cm long, and have a breadth of over a metre.
What are the characteristics of mule deer?
Mule deer’s defining characteristic are their large ears, which are about three-fourths the length of the head. They have a distinctive black forehead, or mask, that contrasts with a light gray face. In the summer, mule deer are tannish-brown and in the winter are brownish-gray in color. They have a white rump patch and a small white tail with a black tip. When running, they bound in a motion called “sto tting,” in which all four hooves push off the ground at the same time.
How did the Mule Deer get their name?
Mule deer get their name from their big, mule-like ears.
How to tell if a deer is white or black?
The easiest way to differentiate the species is to look at the tail. Only the underside of the white-tailed deer’s tail is white, while the mule deer’s tail is all-white with a black tip and is much smaller. In addition, mule deer do not flash their tails in alarm.
What is the difference between a mule deer and a black tail deer?
Mule deer are slightly larger, have bigger ears, smaller tails, and have a forked antler structure rather than having points that grow from a central branch. The easiest way to differentiate the species is to look at the tail. Only the underside of the white-tailed deer’s tail is white, while the mule deer’s tail is all-white with a black tip and is much smaller. In addition, mule deer do not flash their tails in alarm.
How long do mule deer live?
The young ones are weaned at about the age of 60 or 75 days, at which time they begin to lose their spots. Mule deer usually live 9 to 11 years in the wild.
How big are mule deer?
Mule deer range from 3 to 3.5 feet (0.9 to 1 meter) tall at the shoulder, 4.5 to 7 feet (1.4 to 2.1 meters) long , and have a tail that is five to eight inches (13 to 20 centimeters) long. They can weigh between 130 and 280 pounds (59 and 127 kilograms). The female deer are smaller than the male.
Where are deer found in the US?
Mule deer are among the most beloved and iconic wildlife of the American West. These deer are found west of the Missouri River, especially in the Rocky Mountain region of North America. Mule deer are adapted to arid, rocky environments. They thrive in habitats that have a combination of early-stage plant growth, mixed-species plant communities, and diverse and extensive shrub growth. A mixture of plant communities provides better forage than any single species. Plants that are young and emerging are more nutritious than mature trees and shrubs.
Why do mule deer migrate?
Mule deer migrate in fall to avoid harsh winter conditions like deep snow that covers up food resources , and in spring follow the emergence of new growth northwards. There is evidence to suggest that mule deer migrate based on cognitive memory, meaning they use the same path year after year even if the availability of resources has changed. This contradicts the idea that animals will go to the areas with the best available resources, which makes migratory paths crucial for survival.
How tall is a mule deer?
The mule deer is the larger of the two Odocoileus species on average, with a height of 80–106 cm (31–42 in) at the shoulders and a nose-to-tail length ranging from 1.2 to 2.1 m (3.9 to 6.9 ft). Of this, the tail may comprise 11.6 to 23 cm (4.6 to 9.1 in).
What is the difference between a white tail deer and a mule deer?
In many cases, body size is also a key difference. The mule deer's tail is black-tipped, whereas the white-tailed deer's is not. Mule deer antlers are bifurcated; they "fork" as they grow, rather than branching from a single main beam, as is the case with white-taileds.
What are the two main groups of mule deer?
Mule deer can be divided into two main groups: the mule deer ( sensu stricto) and the black-tailed deer. The first group includes all subspecies, except O. h. columbianus and O. h. sitkensis, which are in the black-tailed deer group. The two main groups have been treated as separate species, but they hybridize, ...
What are the predators of mule deer?
Besides humans, the three leading predators of mule deer are coyotes, wolves, and cougars. Bobcats, Canada lynx, wolverines, American black bears, and grizzly bears may prey upon adult deer, but most often only attack fawns or infirm specimens, or eat a deer after it has died naturally.
What are the risks of mule deer migration?
There are many risks that mule deer face during migration including climate change and human disturbance. Climate change impacts on seasonal growth patterns constitute a risk for migrating mule deer by invalidating historic or learned migration paths.
How many deer are in a mule deer group?
Mule deer are variably gregarious, with a large proportion of solitary individuals (35 to 64%) and small groups (groups with ≤5 deer, 50 to 78%). Reported mean group size measurements are three to five and typical group size (i.e. crowding) is about seven.
What are the factors that affect mule deer?
The factors adversely affecting mule deer populations today include habitat loss and fragmentation, poor forage quality, drought, severe weather, competition with other ungulates, predation, disease, and poaching 2. Among ecoregions there are diverse environmental and climatic conditions, therefore each ecoregion presents different challenges to mule deer populations 1. For example, in the Southwest Desert ecoregion, drought is a serious concern and water availability is a key factor affecting mule deer populations. However, in the Northern Forest ecoregion, severe winters causing winterkill is often the most important factor impacting mule deer populations. A common thread among all ecoregions is habitat loss and fragmentation, which is commonly cited as the single greatest cause for declines in mule deer populations 12. To find current information on how mule deer populations are doing in your state, see the most recent rangewide status report published by the Mule Deer Working Group 13.
How big are mule deer?
Adult mule deer typically range in weight from 125-300lbs, standing around 3.3 feet tall at the shoulder 1. Mule deer are distributed throughout western North America from the coastal islands of Alaska, down the Pacific Coast of California to southern Baja Mexico and from the extreme northern portion of the Mexican state of Zacatecas, northward through the western Great Plains to the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the southern Yukon Territory 2. Subtle differences in mule deer occur depending on where they live. There have been as many as 11 subspecies of mule deer described 1.
What is the difference between a mule deer and a whitetail deer?
Understanding their differences is important for proper identification. Although similar in many respects, mule deer and white-tailed deer are distinguishable in their behavior, biology, and appearance. For example, the most commonly noted difference between the two species is their antler configuration 1. Mule deer usually have small or missing brow tines with bifurcated antler branching, which means tines that split once off of a main beam, and then again toward the tips. White-tailed deer antlers usually have prominent brow tines, and tines that split once directly off the main beam. Another distinguishable characteristic between mule deer and whitetails is the appearance and color of their rump. Mule deer have a rope-like tail with a distinctive black tip, while whitetails have a more flat, triangular-shaped tail that is brown on the back surface, and a pure white bottom.
What do mule deer eat?
Mule deer are herbivores with a four chambered stomach similar to cattle, elk, and other ruminants. They digest food by regurgitating partially digested plants, re-chewing, and resting to allow for bacterial breakdown of plant material 1. Mule deer are not as efficient at digesting fibrous material as cattle and elk, so they feed on plants that provide concentrated and highly digestible nutrients. In order to take advantage of the most nutritious plants throughout the year, mule deer may change their diets seasonally. For example, during the spring and summer, mule deer select food items available during ‘green up’ such as herbaceous flowering plants and grasses 6. During the winter when herbaceous plants die off, mule deer switch to the nutritious buds and leaves of woody vegetation (browse) such as sagebrush, bitterbrush, mountain mahogany, and cliffrose. In the winter when food resources become scarce, mule deer may burn more calories in a day than what they can consume. During this period, loss of body mass can be substantial 5.
What are the habitats of mule deer?
Across their distribution, mule deer habitat is broadly categorized in seven ecoregions where mule deer populations share similarities in their ecological associations 1, those ecoregions are: Intermountain West, Great Plains, Northern Forest, Colorado Plateau Shrubland and Forest, Coastal Rainforest, California Woodland Chaparral, and Southwest Desert. Within each ecoregion, there are a wide variety of habitat types mule deer associate to. For example, mule deer of the western Great Plains region have a greater component of open grassland habitat than black-tailed deer in the Coastal Rainforest region. In general, areas with occasional disturbance and edge stimulates growth of grasses, forbs, and shrubs that are within reach of the deer. Consequently, wildfire, grazing, and forest management practices can have an enormous impact on habitat quality.
Where are blacktail deer found?
Black-tailed deer are a subspecies of mule deer found in the coastal regions of northwestern North America from California to Alaska. Black-tailed deer are categorized by two common mule deer subspecies: Columbian black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) and Sitka black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) 3. Columbian blacktails can be found in the coastal areas of northern California, Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia, whereas the Sitka subspecies are found on coastal areas of northern British Columbia and southeastern Alaska. Black-tailed deer are differentiated by their body and antler size, color, geographical distribution, habitat preference, and even their DNA. Aptly named, the tail of black-tailed deer is black from tip to rump.
