Similarities/Differences in White-tail and Mule Deer

White-tailed VS. Mule Deer

Differences

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus

            Or “Virginia Deer”

*All white tail

*Antlers branching from a single main beam

*Found more in the Eastern United States

Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

*White tail except for a black tip

* Antlers are bifurcated, or "fork"

*Found more in the Western United States

Similarities

1. Adule males = Bucks; Adult females = Does; Babies = Fawn

2. 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.
3.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.

4. A buck's antlers fall off during the winter, to grow again in preparation for the next season's

    rut.

5. Fawns are born with white spots and serve as a form of camoflauge.  During the first summer

    the spots will disapear.

6. In summer, it chiefly forages on not only herbaceous plants, but also various berries.  In

    winter, it forages on conifers and twigs of deciduous trees and shrubs.  In season, it eats acorns

    and apples.

7. Deer are capable of producing audible noises, unique to each animal. Fawns release a high-

    pitched squeal, known as a bleat, to call out to their mothers. Does make maternal grunts when

    searching for their bedded fawns. Both does and bucks snort, a sound that often signals

    danger. As well as snorting, bucks also grunt at a pitch that gets lower with maturity. Bucks

    are unique in their grunt-snort-wheeze pattern that often shows aggression and hostility.

8. Bucks will attempt to copulate with as many females as possible, losing physical condition

    since they rarely eat or rest during the rut.

9. The general geographical trend is for the rut to be shorter in duration at increased latitude.

    There are many factors as to how intense the "rutting season" will be. Air temperature is one

    major factor of this intensity. Any time the temperature rises above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the

    males will do much less traveling looking for females, or they will be subject to overheating or

    dehydrating.

10. Another factor for the strength in rutting activity is competition. If there are numerous males

      in a particular area, then they will compete more for the females. If there are fewer males or

      more females, then the selection process will not need to be as competitive.