Stats

Lifespan

9-11 yrs

Size

Large

Diet

Herbivore

Activity

Crepuscular

Social

Herd

Biome

Temperate forest

Range

North America

Movement

Running

Breeding

Live Birth

Defense

Speed

Status

Common

About

Named for their enormous mule-like ears that can span 20 cm, mule deer are the iconic large deer of western North America. Bucks grow strikingly forked antlers each summer, shedding and regrowing them completely every year.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   newborn fawn

   A spotted fawn stays hidden in tall grass while its mother forages, lying motionless to avoid notice.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A weaned juvenile follows the herd, browsing alongside adults and losing its spots as its coat darkens.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown, taking part in the rut.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Artiodactyla

Family

Cervidae

Genus

Odocoileus

Species

Odocoileus hemionus