Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

The mule deer is native to western North America. It gets its name from its large mule-like ears.

Identification

The mule deer has a similar appearence to its close relative, the White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The mule deer's tail is black-tipped and drooped, whereas the white-tail has an uplifted bushy white tail. The mule deer's antlers bifurcate as they grow rather than branching from a single main beam. Mule deer also have a unique fast gait called "stotting". Similar to gazelles, it involves lifting all four feet off the ground simultaneously.

Adult Male

Only males (called bucks) have antlers which start to grow each spring and are shed after the mating season from mid-January to mid-April. Males also have somewhat larger ears than do females.

Adult Female

Females (called does) do not grow antlers and have slightly smaller ears than the males.

Immature

The young of both sexes (called fawn) are a reddish color with white spots which begin to fade by the first month.

Gallery

Male (winter coat)

Groveland, California (2009)

Female (winter coat)

Groveland, California (2009)

Female (winter coat)

Groveland, California (2009)

Female and fawn (summer coat)

Groveland, California (2009)

Female fawn (summer coat)

Groveland, California (2008)

Female fawn (summer coat)

Groveland, California (2008)

Female fawn (winter coat)

Groveland, California (2009)

Albino female

Groveland, California (2009)

Albino female

Groveland, California (2009)

Related Page Hierarchy

Species

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Phylum: Chordata (vertebrates, sea squirts)

Class: Mammalia (mammals)

Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

Family: Cervidae (deer)

Moose (Alces alces)

Chital (Axis axis)

Calamian deer (Axis calamianensis)

Bawean deer (Axis kuhlii)

Hog deer (Axis porcinus)

Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus)

European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Siberian Roe Deer (Capreolus pygargus)

Thorold's deer (Cervus albirostris)

Philippine Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi)

Elk (Cervus canadensis)

Barasingha (Cervus duvaucelii)

European red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Eld's Deer (Cervus eldii)

Philippine Sambar (Cervus mariannus)

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

Sunda Sambar (Cervus timorensis)

Indian Sambar (Cervus unicolor)

Central Asian red Deer (Cervus wallichi)

Fallow deer (Dama dama)

Persian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica)

Tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus)

Pere David's Deer (Elaphurus davidianus)

Taruca (Hippocamelus antisensis)

Chilean Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus)

Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis)

Red Brocket (Mazama americana)

Merioa Brocket (Mazama bricenii)

Dwarf Brocket (Mazama chunyi)

Grey Brocket (Mazama gouazoubira)

Pygmy Brocket (Mazama nana)

Yucatan Brown Brocket (Mazama pandora)

Little red Brocket (Mazama rufina)

Bornean Yellow muntjac (Muntiacus atherodes)

Hairy-fronted muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons)

Fea's muntjac (Muntiacus feae)

Gongshan muntjac (Muntiacus gongshanensis)

Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak)

Leaf muntjac (Muntiacus putaoensis)

Reeves's muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi)

Roosevelt's muntjac (Muntiacus rooseveltorum)

Truong Son muntjac (Muntiacus truongsonensis)

Giant muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis)

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)

Northern Pudu (Pudu mephistophiles)

Southern Pudu (Pudu pudu)

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)