Return to the Mammalia Index

Deer (Mule)
Odocoileus hemionus

Class  

Mammals

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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.


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Full Classification  

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

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