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Deer (Mule)

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Odocoileus hemionus
Deer (Mule)

Range

Mule deer live throughout the Western U.S. including the deserts in the Southwest.

Habitat

They are often found in dry open country and rocky hillsides.

Body Traits

They are a grayer brown than white-tailed deer, to blend into their dry habitat. They have a smaller tail with a black tip. They do not raise it like a whitetail does. They have larger ears than whitetail’s (like a mule’s) and smaller antlers.

Habits

They have a high bouncing run (gate).

Diet

They are browsers. This means they eat twigs and buds. But they also will east grass, mushrooms and even cactus.

Predators

Predators are mountain lions. Fawns may be taken by coyotes, bears, or wolves.

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Reproduction

They are pregnant for about 6.5 months (gestation). They usually have twins in the spring.

Lifespan and/or Conservation Status

They live up to 10 years in the wild. They are not threatened.

Deer (Mule)

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Subfamily: Capreolinae
Genus: Odocoileus
Species: Odocoileus hemionus

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