Mule Deer Facts

Posted 11/27/02

ïThe scientific name is "hemionus" - meaning half-mule.
ïAdult males can range from 150-300 pounds and stand about three feet tall at the shoulder.
ïThey have larger ears than white tails.
ïMule deer have unique antler shapes, with small or missing brow tines and main beams that sweep out and upward, forking once and then each fork divides again in mature bucks.
ïMature bucks typically have eight total points, or 10 if the brow tines are present.
ïThe mule deer does not "flag" its tail.
ïMule deer tails appear rope-like and are usually white on the back side with a distinctive black tip, surrounded by a large, obvious white rump. Some mule deer have a thin black line running along the back (dorsal) side of the tail.
ïThe mule deer normally bounces away in a motion called "stotting" where all four hooves push off at the same time.
ïMule deer are present throughout North America from the coastal inlands of Alaska to the Mexican state of Zacatecas.