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