The cousins White-Tailed Deer, or otherwise known as the Virginia Deer, and the Muley, or Mule Deer, are two of the well known species the lives in the American plains. Though somewhat similar in physical attributes for those who aren't acquainted with the species, there are some minute differences that allow you to separate the two.
During the hunting season, it is beneficial for the hunter to know the physical differences between the two cousins. Aside from separating the Muley and the White-Tail deer, they can also proceed to the location of each since both of them have different habitats.
The Physical Difference Says It All
One notable difference between the White-tails and the muleys are the color of their tails and their antlers; the tail of the Mule Deer is black-tipped unlike its white-tipped cousin (hence the name White-Tail).
The antler of the White-Tailed deer has two probable formations: the first one is the typical antlers where the points group straight up from the main beam and are symmetrical on both sides. The non-typical antlers are asymmetrical and the points branch off in different directions off from the main beam. The Mule Deer's antlers tend to fork rather than branching off from a single beam. Both species shed their antlers during winter, between the months December and February.
One noticeable difference of the two cousins are their coats during the summer and spring seasons. The Muley's coat has a light orange-brown color unlike the White-Tails reddish brown. Upon the onset of fall and winter, the coat of the white-tail turns to a grayish-brown and the Muley's changes into a darker version of their white-tailed cousins.
The Muleys are considerably larger their cousin. Wherein the bucks of the Mule deer weighs roughly 150 to 300 pounds and its white-tailed cousins which weighs around 130 to 220 pounds. Considering their weight difference, size is also a major factor in determining the muley from the white-tailed.
Know Where The Deer Lives
As with their physical description, so does their habitat differs. The White-Tailed deer are often found in the east of the American cordillera. It is known to settle and survive in aspen parklands and Bottomland Rivers in the Central and Northern Great Plains. The Mule Deer on the other hand settled in the land west of the Missouri river.
Considering their location, each species has their own specific diet which differs with the other species. The Muley's diet includes berries such as blackberry, sala, huckleberry and thimbleberry. They are also well known forages especially on conifers such as cedar, yews, Douglas fir, aspen, dogwood, willow, sage and juniper.
The diet of their white-tailed cousins focuses more on legumes and other plants which includes leaves, grasses and shoots. They are also commonly seen taking in acorns, a wide variety of corns, and apples. One special quality of the White-tailed deer is its special stomach which allows it to take in poisonous mushrooms that are considered lethal to humans.
Difference In Behavior
When seeing a Muley in flight, you will notice that they often move slotting rather than alternate movements on all 4 legs. Slotting is a bounding leap with all four feet coming together at once. The white-tailed deer are often seen running on all fours.
The does of the White-tailed deer are more cautious compared to the muleys. When threatened, the white-tipped tails of the does are often seen raising during escape.
Knowing the difference between the White-Tailed deer and their cousins the Mule Deer is a must for hunters who consider these two wild game during the hunting season.
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