mule deer

E1420

The mule deer is a North American deer species known for its large, mule-like ears and adaptability to a wide range of habitats, from mountains and forests to deserts.


Statements (56)
Predicate Object
instanceOf deer
mammal
species
vertebrate
activityPattern crepuscular
antlerCycle antlers shed and regrown annually
binomialName Odocoileus hemionus
breedingSeason autumn
class Mammalia
commonName mule deer
conservationStatus Least Concern
diet herbivorous
distinguishingFeature black-tipped tail
forked antlers in males
large mule-like ears
eats forbs
grasses
shrubs
tree leaves
ecologicalRole prey species for large carnivores
primary herbivore
family Cervidae
foundIn Great Plains
Pacific coastal regions
Rocky Mountains
western North America
genus Odocoileus
gestationPeriod about 7 months
habitat deserts
forests
grasslands
mountains
shrublands
kingdom Animalia
lifespanInCaptivity up to about 20 years
lifespanInWild about 9 to 11 years
namedAfter its large mule-like ears
nativeTo North America
offspringPerBirth usually 1 to 2 fawns
order Artiodactyla
parentTaxon Odocoileus
phylum Chordata
predator black bear
cougar
coyote
wolf
reproduction sexual reproduction
ruttingSeason late autumn
sexualDimorphism males have antlers
socialStructure forms small groups
sexes often segregated outside breeding season
taxonRank species
threat habitat loss
overhunting in some areas
vehicle collisions
usedFor game hunting

Referenced by (6)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
San Bernardino Mountains foothills ("mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)")
Sierra Nevada
fauna
mule deer ("Odocoileus hemionus")
binomialName
Haida Gwaii ("Sitka black-tailed deer (introduced)")
hasFauna
Cervidae ("Odocoileus hemionus")
includesSpecies
mule deer ("Odocoileus")
parentTaxon

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