where do mule deer live

Interestingly, it runs at a speed of 45 miles per hour. Northern red oak acorn. The fawns are spotted at birth, but these spots (a natural camouflage) fade at about 2 months of age. They are always alert to approaching danger. They also live in the central and southern areas of Canada, where they reach almost as far west as Alaska. During the summer, they favor flowering plants. In the wild they have a maximum lifespan of 10 years, but in captivity they have lived to be as old as 25 years. We also try to answer common questions about deer. After a 190 to 210 day long gestation period one or two fawns are born, usually in June or July. Unlike the White Tailed Deer, Mule Deer are happy in dry arid locations, and are found in semi-desert and desert areas. The range of these deer also spreads throughout Central America, reaching as far south as Bolivia. Generally speaking the strongest and largest bucks have the most success at obtaining and holding on to harems. There is are dark mask like markings on the head, which run in a ‘V’ shape through the eyes. The under parts are slightly lighter in color than the upper parts. How big are mule deer? Next, let’s take a closer look at the habitat preferences and the range and distribution of Odocoileus hemionus. Mule deer inhabits the western part of the US and Canada. The Rocky Mountain subspecies has the widest range of the numerous subspecies. Males, which are commonly called bucks, are typically larger and heavier than the females or does. These deer also feed on different types of plants throughout the various seasons. The Province of British Columbia is home to three types of deer: mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), black-tailed deer (also Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).After black bears, deer are the most reported species to the Conservation Officer Service with an average of 4,500 reports per year. During the rutting period single males are seen in possession of small harems of females, with males competing vigorously for possession of the females. The Mule Deer has a wide distribution range, and is found over large areas of the western parts of North America. tall at the shoulder. Whitetails are homebodies, often living their whole lives within one square mile. Mule Deer are related to White Tailed Deer, a more widely distributed species native to North America, with key differences in range, ear shape, tail color, and antler configuration. That said, open and drier habitats are preferred. The range of these deer also spreads throughout Central America, reaching as far south as Bolivia. While they look like their relative, the whitetail deer, this species lives mostly in the western United States. Deer Snapshot. While a few mules can carry live weight up to 160 kg (353 lb), the superiority of the mule becomes apparent in their additional endurance. Of course, some subspecies have very small populations, and laws protect them from hunting for this reason. In more woodland areas a greater variety of food will be eaten than in desert areas, where they have fewer options. It can be found as far north as the Canadian Rockies, and its range extends as far south as the Mexican deserts. Mule Deer will also live in woodland areas, but given the choice they prefer dry, open woodland and avoid denser thicker areas of forest some other types of deer prefer. Read on to learn about the mule deer. In desert areas they may move around in response to rainfall patterns, looking for areas of new and fresh grazing. Mule Deer are not at any conservation risk. Here you’ll find informative articles about the biology, habitat, habits of deer. The preferred habitat of this species varies based upon the region, and different subspecies have different habitat preferences. • Found along the Rockies in Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon, and scattered populations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. No, mule deer do not make good pets. Younger does typically give birth to a single young, while older does normally have twin births. The Mule Deer’s tail is different from that of the White-Tailed Deer’s. Mule deer habitat inside this large area is also very diverse as mule deer are very adaptable to a wide variety of different vegetation types. Two subspecies of mule deer are grouped into the black-tailed deer. Mule Deer are found throughout Washington, including the islands, in hardwood and coniferous forests, dense shrubs or other growth stages with small trees or shrubs. I've been sorting through it on OnX and Google Earth, trying to find interesting, promising locations to hunt in mid-late October. On this page we’ll share key details and information about Odocoileus hemionus so you can get to know the unique characteristics of Mule Deer. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. If a predator is spotted they will leap away in a distinct way. Mule deer usually live 9-11 years in the wild and can live to be much older when in captivity. During the winter months Odocoileus hemionus gather in large herds, sometimes with hundreds of members. What Animal am I According to my Zodiac Sign? The Mule Deer has a number of predators including the bear, puma, coyote and formerly the wolf. This population boom causes disease and starvation. They are large, wild animals, and can be potentially dangerous. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. Northerly living Mule Deer have different reproductive cycles from more southerly living animals. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. These numbers were not available as of March 12 when we published our Colorado mule deer application strategy article.. Because Colorado doesn’t require mandatory harvest reporting, their harvest reports do not account for every buck or doe killed by hunters. They live in grasslands, meadows, forest edges, desert scrubs, boreal forests, and more. Their diet consists of woody vegetation, plants, berries, acorns, apples and grasses. The antlers reach their full size when the buck is usually in there 3rd year. Mule Deer are occasionally seen alone, and older males are more likely to become solitary in habits. The reproductive cycle of Whitetails varies depending on the geographical location in which they live. Mule deer in Colorado and other western states have experienced large fluctuations in population size due to a variety of factors such as changes in habitat quality and quantity, severe weath… Mules also tend to be more independent than most domesticated equines other than its parental species, the donkey. How Long Do Mule Deer Live. The other kind of deer is called the white-tailed deer. The Mule Deer has a wide distribution range, and is found over large areas of the western parts of North America. They are often hunted by man for recreation. Mule Deer antlers are shed each year in spring, between January and April. For decades, western Colorado has been home to some of the country’s largest mule deer herds. It can be found as far north as the Canadian Rockies, and its range extends as far south as the Mexican deserts. While unable to detect motionless objects, mule deer are very sensitive to moving objects and their sense of hearing is very acute. You can differentiate them from their whitetail cousin by looking at their ears. Antler growth is initiated and controlled by changes in day length acting on several cell types of the anterior pituitary. The Mule Deer is extremely adaptable in its habitat preferences. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. Of the two primary Texas deer species mule deer are the more claustrophobic, preferring to stick to the wide open areas where danger is easily spotted. Younger bucks lose them a little later than mature males. Mule Deer are able to run at speeds of up to 45 kph. They are also sometimes known as the Burro Deer. Mule deer may live more than 10 yr in the wild, and longer in captivity (Taylor 1956, Wallmo 1981, Anderson and Wallmo 1984). Whitetails are a very adaptable species. Ultimately, deer sleep … The difference between mule deer and white tale deer is that mule deer are slightly larger than white tales and live in colder areas. Humans do all manner of things to artificially increase numbers of favored species like mule deer and bighorn or manipulate physical attributes such as deer antler size. The deer rest by lying on their chests and bellies with legs tucked under. Deer don't always sleep much at night -- they typically use the cover of darkness as protection against predators. I drew a Wyoming mule deer tag - Area 36 (North and East of Shoshoni, WY), fwiw. The young are sexually mature from about 18 months of age. The Mule Deer has a wide distribution range, and is found over large areas of the western parts of North America. They have a number of interesting behaviors and traits, learn more below. Although it is quite long, it is not bushy. They will occupy nearly all types of habitat found among their distribution range. Generally the rut takes place around October to mid December. Mule deer, on the other hand, evolved in the western United States and out on the open plains where they could see danger well in advance. Most of these “management” practices have unintentionally harmed wildlife, rangelands and habitat. In some areas, this species also lives in agricultural areas and pastures. These large deer are quite unique creatures. These groups must have plenty of space to roam, and a variety of different plants to browse on. However, they are not usually found west of the Rocky Mountains, where the mule deer is more widespread. They are often hunted by man for recreation. The closest established population of wild mule deer to … Male fawns are heavier than females. The Mule Deer is a social animal, living in small herds of typically 3 or 4 animals. Some recent research employing GPS collars have found that some populations migrate more than 150 miles in a year between high mountain summer range and desert wintering grounds. It can be found as far north as the … Proximity To Roads Mule deer are a large species of deer that live in North America. Their diet is mostly hay and pelleted food, with fruits and veggies mixed in. They are also found in meadows, and grasslands, including alpine meadows, near forest. Overall, these deer eat a wide variety of vegetation, from fruits and seeds to grasses and leaves. There is also a white patch of fur beneath the throat. You can differentiate them from their whitetail cousin by looking at their ears. A well-known subspecies of the Mule Deer is the Black Tailed Deer, which (as its name suggests) has an all black tail. How long do they live? Below are some Google Earth images of deer country that occurs in most of the western states from desert to high country where big mule deer are found. The exact coloring of the tail can vary between individuals, with some animals having no black tip. Mule deer are a large species of deer that live in North America. Last week, Colorado published their 2019 harvest statistics. Mule Deer eat a variety of different foods, including twigs, shoots, grasses, leaves, seeds and berries. Mule Deer have large ears that move constantly and independently, from whence they get their name, "Mule" or "Burro Deer." White-tailed deer, the kind found in Massachusetts and across most of the United States, are the widest-ranging ungulate in the Americas, from as far south as Bolivia to as far north as southern Canada. All Rights Reserved. During the hot middle parts of the day Mule Deer rest and remain inactive in a cool quiet location. Generally, the lifetime of mule deer is 10 years in the wild, as compared to other species of deer. Niche: Natural predators of deer have been reduced in numbers in most areas. The median weight range for a mule is between about 370 and 460 kg (820 and 1,000 lb). But when bow hunting mule deer, your eyes have got to do the looking, and you don’t have places where you can drive a truck until you find a mule deer. White-tailed deer are native to the Americas. Scientists call the mule deer Odocoileus hemionus(o-do-koy-LEE-us hem-EE-own-us). Mule deer occur throughout Oregon east of the Cascade Range, and in summer, they range into the Cascades. The availability of browse in forest understory is important for them. Colorado holds extensive mule deer habitat and supports some of the largest mule deer numbers when compared to other states and the Canadian provinces. There are 10 different subspecies, some of which vary greatly in size of color. As with their range, the different subspecies and regions have different eating habits. This species is relatively calm outside of the breeding season, which is called “rut.” When rut begins, the females become receptive to mating and the males fight for dominance. Mule Deer live in distinct home ranges, where they remain for much of the year. Activity is concentrated in the early mornings and late evenings. Because human activity suppresses large predators, deer populations boom. While they look like their relative, the whitetail deer, this species lives mostly in the western United States. For example, the deer in Michigan’s upper peninsula where there are brutal snowfalls and hot winter temperatures, do not live as long as those in south Texas, where the weather conditions are temperate all year round. At birth the young weigh on average 2.5 kg. • Tend to more open terrain rather than … These deer have large ears, which look very much like those of a mule. Like their whitetail cousins, females usually do not have antlers. WorldDeer.org was launched in 2005 and has evolved over the past 15 years to feature some of the best information about deer on the web. I've given it my best shot in predicting where bucks will be during particular seasons and also share how I might personally hunt each area. Females normally conceive in their second year, however the bucks rarely get to mate before they are 3 or 4 years old due to fierce competition which favors strong, mature bucks. Mule Deer are not at any conservation risk. The fawns reach sexual maturity at 18 months old, but males usually do not breed for several years. Deer do not live long in regions where there is a severe weather conditions on a frequent basis. Overpopulation, with resultant winter die-offs and destruction of habitat, occurs periodically in California, as in other states. Just like their whitetail cousins, hunting is an important population control for mule deer. Let’s put some numbers behind the 2019 season. Herds in a portion of northwestern Colorado were so prolific that the area was dubbed “the mule deer factory.” Mule deer and black-tailed deer (collectively called mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus) are icons of the American West. I’ve learned that when you’re hunting in the mountains, you have to drive as close as you can to a mountain, then climb the mountain, look for a vantage point where you can see the other side of the mountain and start glassing,” Veire said. The fawns are weaned at about 6 to 7 weeks of age. This species is quite large, and some individuals can stand over 42 in. In a zoological setting, caring for these deer is quite similar to other deer species. After this time they are able to move around and begin to follow the mother doe. Across the species, they live in a wide range of different ecosystems. Various subspecies of this large deer live across most of North America to the west of the Mississippi River. The timing of reproduction and the birth of the young varies according to where the deer live. Mating is polygamous, with Odocoileus hemionus bucks mating with a number of females each year. Occasionally, does can produce up to 4 fawns per pregnancy! The antlers can be up to 78cm long, and have a breadth of over a metre. Throughout this range, different subspecies inhabit virtually the entire continent. For example in colder areas they may spend the summer months in higher more exposed locations, only returning to lower more sheltered areas when winter and bad weather returns. Humans have not domesticated mule deer in any way. In other words, depending on the location in question, whitetail and mule deer can hybridize readily. © Copyright 2020 WorldDeer.org. Mule deer eat a wide variety of plant foods, utilizing the food that grows where they live. Mule Deer are good swimmers, though they rarely use water as a means of escaping predators. Mature bucks normally have a total of 8 tines, 4 on each antler, although it is common for bucks with fewer tines to be seen. Mule deer reach 105 cm (42 in) tall at the shoulder, being larger on average than white-tailed deer. Mule deer usually live 9 to 11 years in the wild. These large herds split up with the approaching spring, and for most of the rest of the year this type of deer lives in small groups. They are social animals, so zookeepers keep them in herds. Fawns are left hidden in long vegetation for the first week of so of their life. The antlers of male mule deer grow upward, not forward. Conservation. The rump patch is lighter than the rest of the coat, usually a cream or white color. Most weigh no more than 331 lbs. They also commonly inhabit hilly and mountainous areas. They do not run as other deer, but have a peculiar and distinctive bounding leap (stotting) over distances up to 8 yards, with … To cover such diverse territory and climates, white-tailed deer have a variety of adaptations and behaviors, including those that allow them to survive harsh winter weather The mule deer is one of two species of deer that live in Idaho. Outside of breeding season, herds are relatively peaceful. During rut the male deer are increasingly aggressive, and the most dominant male breeds with the most females. Named for their large, mule-like ears, Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are indigenous to western North America and can be grouped into two subspecies of black-tailed deer. However, in some areas Mule Deer may move in distinct patterns at certain times of the year in a form of migration. The Mule Deer is so named because of its large prominent ears, which are reminiscent of those seen in mules. Mule deer can be solitary or live in small groups. During the winter, when grasses are more difficult to reach, they feed more heavily on trees and shrubs. A large stocky species of deer, Odocoileus hemionus are generally larger in size than their close relative the White Tailed Deer. Males and females live separately in separate herds, only coming together during the rutting season in late autumn. A Mule Deer’s diet depends on the type of habitat in which they live. Mule deer evolved in North America and are well adapted to western landscapes. Female deer, called “does,” mate with several males, called “bucks.” The gestation period is around 200 days long, and it is very common for does to have twins. They are found throughout the United States; they are so prevalent in that country that they are the animal emblem of many states. In color the tail is white, but has a black tip. The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer indigenous to western North America; it is named for its ears, which are large like those of the mule. Within the small herds there is a strict dominance hierarchy. This is more distinct in the males than in the females. The following lists the nine different types of areas mule deer inhabit: Canadian Boreal Forest, Northern Mountain, Colorado Plateau, Sagebrush Steppe, Great Basin, Great Plains, Semi-desert Shrub, California Chaparral, and Mojave/Sonora Desert. The antlers regrow quickly, reaching their full size within 150 days, at which point they shed their velvet. When they do sleep at night, they do so in such a way as to conserve energy, stay hidden and guard themselves against predators. Muleys, on the other hand, are far more nomadic. Mule deer are able to detect danger at long range, and when danger is detected they may hide, move away stealthily, or flee. The coat is a grey-ish to reddish-brown color in the summer, while in the winter months it much darker and is a brownish-grey. In genetic studies of wild deer ranging from West Texas to Alberta, they’ve found that hybrids can make up anywhere between 0% to 14% of a given population where the species overlap, although proportions below 6% seem to be more common. a.footer{color:#D1B180}a.footer:hover{color:#D1C580}. but some individuals have reached up to 460 lbs. While some live in somewhat remote areas, others have adapted well to living near human populations. It was a mule deer, a species found in the western U.S. and parts of Canada and Mexico. They live as far north as southern Alaska, and as far south as Mexico. Zoos have never kept some subspecies, while they more commonly keep others. The antlers branch into equally sized forward and backwards forks. They are a selective feeder, and they will choose the most succulent and nutritious shoots and grasses on which to feed.

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