Mule deer: Difference between revisions
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The '''mule deer''' ('''''Odocoileus hemionus''''') is a [[deer]] which is indigenous to western [[North America]]. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large [[mule]]-like ears. The [[black-tailed deer]] has been considered as a distinct species, though virtually all recent authorities classify it as a [[subspecies]] of the mule deer.<ref name=iucn/><ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3|id=14200267}}</ref><ref name=Walker>Novak, R. M. (1999). ''Walker's Mammals of the World.'' 6th edition. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9</ref><ref name=Reid>Reid, F. A. (2006). ''Mammals of North America.'' 4th edition. ISBN 978-0-395-93596-5</ref><ref name=DeerEvolution>Geist, V. (1998). ''Deer of the world: their evolution, behaviour, and ecology.'' ISBN 978-0811704960</ref> Unlike its cousin, the [[white-tailed deer]], mule deer are generally more associated with the land west of the [[Missouri River]], or more specifically, with the Rocky |
The '''mule deer''' ('''''Odocoileus hemionus''''') is a [[deer]] which is indigenous to western [[North America]]. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large [[mule]]-like ears. The [[black-tailed deer]] has been considered as a distinct species, though virtually all recent authorities classify it as a [[subspecies]] of the mule deer.<ref name=iucn/><ref name=MSW3>{{MSW3|id=14200267}}</ref><ref name=Walker>Novak, R. M. (1999). ''Walker's Mammals of the World.'' 6th edition. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9</ref><ref name=Reid>Reid, F. A. (2006). ''Mammals of North America.'' 4th edition. ISBN 978-0-395-93596-5</ref><ref name=DeerEvolution>Geist, V. (1998). ''Deer of the world: their evolution, behaviour, and ecology.'' ISBN 978-0811704960</ref> Unlike its cousin, the [[white-tailed deer]], mule deer are generally more associated with the land west of the [[Missouri River]], or more specifically, with the [[Rocky Mountains]] region of North America. The most noticeable differences between whitetails and mule deer are the size of their ears, the color of their tails and configuration of their antlers. In many cases, body size is also a key difference. The mule deer's tail is black-tipped, whereas the whitetail's is not. Mule deer antlers are bifurcated, or in other words, they "fork" as they grow rather than branching from a single main beam (as is the case with whitetails). Each year, after mating season, a buck's antlers start to grow in spring almost immediately after they are shed. Shedding typically takes place in mid February with variations occurring by locale. Mule deer bucks have somewhat more prominent ears than females. Although capable of running, mule deer often prefer to stot, which is moving with a bounding leap ([[stot]]), with all four feet coming down together.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}<!-- source needed re claim these deer do not run (ie gallop) --> |
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The mule deer is the largest of the ''Odocoileus'' genus, standing, on the average, {{convert|40|-|42|in|cm}} at the shoulders and stretching {{convert|80|in|cm}} or so nose to tail. An adult buck will weigh from {{convert|150|-|300|lbs|kg}} on the hoof, with does averaging {{convert|125|-|175|lbs|kg}}. The occasional trophy-sized mule deer buck may weigh in around {{convert|500|lbs|kg}}.[http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-and-Environment/1985-11-01/The-Deer-of-North-America.aspx] The Mule Deer does not show marked size variation across its range as does the White-tailed Deer. |
The mule deer is the largest of the ''Odocoileus'' genus, standing, on the average, {{convert|40|-|42|in|cm}} at the shoulders and stretching {{convert|80|in|cm}} or so nose to tail. An adult buck will weigh from {{convert|150|-|300|lbs|kg}} on the hoof, with does averaging {{convert|125|-|175|lbs|kg}}. The occasional trophy-sized mule deer buck may weigh in around {{convert|500|lbs|kg}}.[http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-and-Environment/1985-11-01/The-Deer-of-North-America.aspx] The Mule Deer does not show marked size variation across its range as does the White-tailed Deer. |
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Revision as of 07:59, 2 March 2011
| Mule Deer[1] | |
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| Male and female | |
Scientific classification 
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| Missing taxonomy template (fix): | Odocoileus hemionus |
| Binomial name | |
| Odocoileus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817)
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| Subspecies | |
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10, see text | |
The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer which is indigenous to western North America. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large mule-like ears. The black-tailed deer has been considered as a distinct species, though virtually all recent authorities classify it as a subspecies of the mule deer.[2][3][4][5][6] Unlike its cousin, the white-tailed deer, mule deer are generally more associated with the land west of the Missouri River, or more specifically, with the Rocky Mountains region of North America. The most noticeable differences between whitetails and mule deer are the size of their ears, the color of their tails and configuration of their antlers. In many cases, body size is also a key difference. The mule deer's tail is black-tipped, whereas the whitetail's is not. Mule deer antlers are bifurcated, or in other words, they "fork" as they grow rather than branching from a single main beam (as is the case with whitetails). Each year, after mating season, a buck's antlers start to grow in spring almost immediately after they are shed. Shedding typically takes place in mid February with variations occurring by locale. Mule deer bucks have somewhat more prominent ears than females. Although capable of running, mule deer often prefer to stot, which is moving with a bounding leap (stot), with all four feet coming down together.[citation needed]
The mule deer is the largest of the Odocoileus genus, standing, on the average, 40–42 inches (100–110 cm) at the shoulders and stretching 80 inches (200 cm) or so nose to tail. An adult buck will weigh from 150–300 pounds (68–136 kg) on the hoof, with does averaging 125–175 pounds (57–79 kg). The occasional trophy-sized mule deer buck may weigh in around 500 pounds (230 kg).[1] The Mule Deer does not show marked size variation across its range as does the White-tailed Deer.
Seasonal behaviors
In addition to movements related to available shelter and food, the breeding cycle is important in understanding deer behavior and personality. The "rut" or mating season usually begins in the fall as does go into estrus for a period of a few days and males become more aggressive, competing for mates. Does may mate with more than one buck and go back into estrus within a month if they do not settle. The gestation period is about 190–200 days, with fawns born in the spring, staying with their mothers during the summer and being weaned in the fall after about 60–75 days. A buck's antlers fall off during the winter, to grow again in preparation for the next season's rut. For more information see main article on deer.
There are several non-human predators of mule deer. Gray Wolves and mountain lions are the main predator of adult deer. Bobcats, Coyotes, American Black Bears and Grizzly Bears less commonly prey on adult deer, though commonly attack fawns.[7]
Foraging
In summer, it chiefly forages on not only herbaceous plants, but also various berries (including blackberry, blueberry, salal, and thimbleberry). Mule deer are known to forage in summer on California Buckeye leaves, even though there is some evidence of that plant's toxicity.[8]
In winter, it forages on conifers (especially Douglas fir, cedar, Taxus yews, juniper), and twigs of deciduous trees and shrubs (esp. aspen, willow, dogwood, serviceberry, and sage). In season, it eats acorns and apples. Over much of its range, snow and ice cover many food sources and the food that is accessible grows slower. Its metabolism slows and it becomes less active to survive in an environment with less food. A large fraction of the deaths in mule deer population occur in the winter, especially with during the first year of life.
During the winter, most mule deer must move down from mountains, where the snow is deeper and covers most of the food, into the valleys, where there is less snow. Sometimes, in response to perceived distress, concerned people create feeding programs. Such supplemental feeding efforts may be harmful if not properly implemented.[9]
Mule deer prefer to eat high amounts of fresh grass and populations tend to move up or down with those of their preferred foods. Mule deer rarely travel far from water or forage, and tend to bed down within easy walking distance of both. Young mule deer tend to forage together in family groups while bucks tend to travel alone or with other bucks. Most actively foraging around dawn and dusk, they tend to bed down in protected areas mid-day, but will also forage at night in more open agricultural areas, during full moons, or when pressured by hunters. Repeated beds will often be scratched level, about the size of a washtub. Temporary beds will seem little more than flattened grassy grounds.
Taxonomy
The mule deer can be divided into two main groups: The mule deer (sensu stricto) and the black-tailed deer. The first group includes all subspecies, except O. h. columbianus and O. h. sitkensis, which are in the black-tailed deer group.[3] These two groups have been treated as separate species, but they hybridize freely, and virtually all recent authorities treat the mule deer and black-tailed deer as conspecific.[2][3][4][5][6] It appears the mule deer evolved from the black-tailed deer.[6] Despite this, the mtDNA of the white-tailed deer and mule deer is similar, but differs from that of the black-tailed deer.[6] This may be the result of introgression, although hybrids between the mule deer and white-tailed deer are rare in the wild.[6]
Subspecies
In addition to the 10 subspecies listed below, some have recognized O. h. crooki from northern Mexico. However, it is invalid, as it is based on a hybrid between the mule deer and white-tailed deer.[3] Valid subspecies based on the 3rd edition of Mammal Species of the World:[3]
- Mule deer (sensu stricto) group:
- O. h. californicus – California mule deer
- O. h. cerrosensis – Cedros (Cerros) Island mule deer (Cedros Island, Baja, California)
- O. h. eremicus – Burro deer (northwest Mexico and Arizona)
- O. h. fuliginatus – Southern mule deer (California)
- O. h. hemionus – Rocky Mountain mule deer (western and central North America)
- O. h. inyoensis – Inyo mule deer (California)
- O. h. peninsulae – Peninsula mule deer (Baja, California)
- O. h. sheldoni – Tiburon Island mule deer (Tiburon Island)
- Black-tailed deer group:
- O. h. columbianus – Black-tailed deer (Pacific Northwest and Northern California regions)
- O. h. sitkensis – Sitka black-tailed deer (coastal area and islands off western British Columbia)
Line notes
- ^ ITIS: O. hemionus Taxonomy
- ^ a b c Template:IUCN2008 Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern.
- ^ a b c d e Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M., eds. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ a b Novak, R. M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th edition. ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
- ^ a b Reid, F. A. (2006). Mammals of North America. 4th edition. ISBN 978-0-395-93596-5
- ^ a b c d e Geist, V. (1998). Deer of the world: their evolution, behaviour, and ecology. ISBN 978-0811704960
- ^ Odocoileus hemionus, Animal Diversity
- ^ C.Michael Hogan (2008) Aesculus californica, Globaltwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg
- ^ http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/docs/NAMuleDeerConsPlanFinal.pdf
References
- "Odocoileus hemionus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 23 March 2006.
External links
