Mule Deer
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The mule deer lives in a variety of North America habitats. This shy, solitary creature is often difficult to spot, despite its fairly large population. Usually a timid animal, the mulch deer buck will fight aggressively during mating season for a doe. The mule deer is closely related to the white tailed deer, but they can be distinguished by their antlers.
Habits: Unlike many other species of deer, the mule deer is solitary. Living in habitats from the high mountains to deserts and plains, it does not form herds, but rather lives alone or in small family groups in a well defined home range. In mountainous regions, the mule deer spends the summer on the slopes below the tree line.
It has been seen as high as 7,500 feet above sea lever on southeast and southwest facing slopes. After the fall mating season, the mule deer migrates into the valley. In winter, when food is scarce and buried beneath the snow, it may gather in groups of up to 50 in areas where food is more plentiful.
Food & Feeding: In summer the mule deer browses on shoots and twigs from pine and aspen trees. In winter it grasses on grasses and scrubs; it also eats mushrooms and nuts, lichen. When food is scarce during the winter months, groups of mule deer make "yards." They trample the snow to expose the food beneath, often causing extensive damage to the land. After all the food in the yard is exhausted, the group moves on to find a new feeding ground.
Breeding: During the breeding season from late September to mid November, the normally timid buck (male) fights aggressively for possession of a doe (female). He gathers a harem of about four does. They give birth in June or July, usually to twins. The fawns can walk immediately after birth. Left alone for much of the day. their fur camouflages them from predators while they hide in dense undergrowth. By September the fawns ae weaned and have started growing their winter coats. At the age of nine months their antlers begin to show.
Mule Deer & Man: The mule deer has historically been hunted by humans for it hide (buckskin) and for its flesh. Today , however, hunting does not threaten the mules deer population. Fences are built to keep grazing mule deer out of some farm areas so they will not cause damage to crops. But in many areas food plants are grown especially to attract mule deer so it can be hunted for its valuable hide and flesh.
The mule deer population was threatened from 1905 to 1925 when hunters killed thousands of wolves, pumas, and coyotes on Arizona's Kaibab plateau. Without these predators, the mule deer population grew from 4,000 to 100,000 in 20 years. Because the habitat could not support such an enormous population, 60,000 mule deer died from starvation in one year. Today the mule deer is carefully regulated by hunters.
Key Facts: Sizes
Height: 3 ft to shoulder
Length: Body 6 ft, tail, 1 ft
Weight: 250 to 300 Lb
Antlers: 2 1/2 ft span.
Breeding Mating season: Late September
to mid November
Gestation: 182 to 210 days
Weaning Period: 6 weeks
No. of Young: 2, occasionally 3
Lifespan: 10 years
Related Species: There are 11 subspecies
of mule deer. Odocoileus virginianus, the white tailed deer, is a close
relative.
Distributed: The mule deer lives in western
parts of Canada and the United States, extending into northern Mexico.
Conservation: More than three million
mule deer live in the United States; Licensed hunting is permitted and
the species is in no danger of extinction.
Features of the Mule Deer:
Face and Throat: White colored.
Antlers: Widespread, multipointed folks.
Shed between January and March. Replacement begins March or April. Reach
full adult size by seven years.
Summer Antlers: Have a velvet coating.
Rocky Mountain mule deer: Distinguished
by its black tipped tail.
Pacific Coast mule deer: Distinguished
by its black tail. This deer was previously listed as a separate species,
but has been reclassifies as a mule deer.
Did you know?
A buck's fierce fight for a doe is often a bluff.
one contestant turns away before a real battle accurs.
Un 1924 to 25 an epidemic of foot and mouth disease
killed thousands of mule deer in California; 22,000 were slaughtered to
check the disease.'
Mountain lions, bears, bobcats, golden eagles,
coyotes, and wolverines, hunt mule deer.
The mule deer is called "jumping deer" for its
habit of jumping high when running.
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