# Mule Deer (*Odocoileus hemionus*)

> Mule deer are named for their large mule-like ears and black-tipped tail, ranging across western North America from Canada to Mexico. Bucks weigh up to 150 kg (330 lb), bound stiff-legged when fleeing ('stotting'), and migrate seasonally in many mountain populations.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Western North America from Alaska and British Columbia through the Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, and deserts to Baja California and central Mexico.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/mule-deer/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Cervidae
- **Genus:** Odocoileus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Odocoileus hemionus |
| Diet | Herbivore — browse, forbs, grasses, and acorns |
| Habitat | Western forests, sagebrush, deserts, and foothills of North America |
| Lifespan | 9–11 years in the wild |
| Weight | Bucks 55–150 kg; does 43–75 kg |
| Top speed | Up to 48 km/h (30 mph); stotting escape gait |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Stotting and escape behaviour

When alarmed, mule deer often flee with a four-legged bounce called stotting, which may signal fitness to predators or improve visibility over brush. This gait distinguishes them from the running gallop of white-tailed deer.

## Forked antlers and the rut

Bucks grow bifurcating antlers that fork rather than branch from a main beam like white-tailed deer. The rut peaks in late autumn; bucks spar for access to does. Afterward antlers are shed and regrow through spring and summer.

## Migration and urban edge

Many Rocky Mountain herds migrate vertically between summer high country and lower winter range — journeys increasingly blocked by highways and development. Suburban mule deer adapt to irrigated lawns and parks, raising collision and conflict concerns.

## Conservation status

Listed Least Concern overall, but some migratory herds face declines from habitat fragmentation, chronic wasting disease, and severe winters. Wildlife crossings and protected winter range help maintain connectivity in the western United States and Canada.

## Frequently asked questions

### Mule deer vs white-tailed deer?

Mule deer have larger ears, a black-tipped tail, and bifurcating antlers. White-tailed deer flash a white tail underside and have antlers branching from a main beam. Ranges overlap in some areas.

### Why do mule deer stot?

The stiff-legged bounce may warn predators the deer is fit and hard to catch, or help them see over vegetation while fleeing.

### Where do mule deer live?

Western North America from coastal British Columbia and Alaska south through the Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, and deserts to Baja California and Mexico.

### What do mule deer eat?

Browse such as sagebrush and willow, plus forbs, grasses, and acorns — diet varies by season and region.

### How big do mule deer get?

Large bucks may reach 150 kg, though 90–100 kg is more typical. Does are considerably smaller.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Odocoileus hemionus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Odocoileus%20hemionus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Odocoileus hemionus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Odocoileus_hemionus/)
- [Wikipedia — Mule Deer.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule_deer)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/mule-deer/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.