Mule deer can jump as far as 15'
This photo was taken at Zion National Park in Utah. Mule deer are a regular sighting here in the park. The range for mule deer includes much of western North America. Mule deer are fast but also rely on their large ears and keen eyes to keep them out of trouble. These mule deer are teaming up to keep a 360-degree view. The top dangers for mule deer include wolves, coyotes, cougars, bobcats, bears, and motor vehicles. Mule deer typically top out around 35 miles per hour. Unfortunately for the mule deer, the wolves, coyotes, and cougars are slightly faster. Bobcats and bears reach about the same speed as a mule deer. This means the mule deer can’t rely on speed alone to survive. They must stay on alert with their eyes and ears in order to spot predators before they are too close.
There are a few visual differences between the white tail deer and the mule deer. As you can see in my photo, mule deer have large, mule like ears. These can reach nine inches in length. These are much larger than white tail deer ears. Another difference is that white tail deer have a white tail and the mule deer have a white tail with a black tip. The antlers of a mule deer are slightly different than a white tail deer. A white tail deer’s antler grows from a single root, branching off from that. A mule deer’s antlers fork as they grow. These are called bifurcated antlers. The bucks will shed their antlers every winter. The antlers will max out in size come October as they prepare for the rut.
There are roughly ten subspecies (some of which are disputed) of mule deer scattered across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Mule deer eat a wide variety of plants, depending on their habitat. They will eat shrubs, grasses, flowers, nuts, and berries. I observed them grazing in groups. Presumably the idea would be safety in numbers. Perhaps the mule deer were watching out for each other while they ate.
Mule deer eat a wide variety of plants, depending on their habitat
Did you know?
- Mule deer typically weigh between 130-280 pounds.
- Mule deer have better night vision than humans.
- A doe typically gives birth to 1-4 fawns. In roughly one year these fawns will leave their mother.
- Mule deer can jump as far as 15 feet!
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