Mule Deer

 (Odocoileus hemionus)  “ Aerial, Evie, Kramer and Sochi”

Story: All the mule deer at HPZS are rescued orphans.

Geographic range: Western half of North America and Canada

Mule deer live in rugged, arid areas and also forest edges and deserts. As herbivores, they eat plants like blackberry and winter twigs. Weighing 125-200 lbs, they have large ears, leap up to 45 mph, and can dig for water up to 2 feet deep. They lack canines, chew cud, and detect movement well. Mule deer can jump 8 feet high and 20 feet long, with antlers growing under velvet and shed after hardening. They migrate seasonally and are active in the morning, evening, and night, breeding in late November and December.