Mule
Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Body
length: 3 3/4 - 6 1/2'
Diet: Flowering plants, grasses, and woody vegetation
While white-tailed deer are generally seen in
hilly areas at Tonto National Monument, mule deer are most common in the flat
desert areas, particularly north of Route 188. In this area, mule deer are larger
than white-tailed deer, and lack the fluffy white tail. They are further distinguished
by larger, "mule" ears, and antlers which branch into pairs of points
(in the white-tailed deer, all branches rise from the single main stem).
It is hard to believe that when the western states were first settled by Europeans,
mule deer were considered rare. It is thought that their population increase resulted
from predator control and grazing, which has aided development of the woody vegetation
they prefer.
NPS
Home | Tonto Home | Expanded
Home | Nature
| Culture | Visit
| Virtual
Tours |
Education | Bookstore
| Park Info | Index
Updated
May 8, 2005