8 NEBRASKAland • NOVEMBER 2017
A Mammal
Brief
By Lindsay Rogers
Characterized by large ears and a
relatively small tail, the mule deer can also
be distinguished from the white-tailed
deer by the growth pattern of its antlers.
A mule deer's antlers form dichotomous
branches (tines split in two) where the
white-tailed deer's antlers form one main
beam with tines branching off the main
beam. Historically, mule deer were found
statewide, while white-tailed deer were
found in the eastern part of the state. Today,
white-tailed deer have expanded their range
to cover the entire state because of their
ability to adapt to habitat changes, while
mule deer, which are less adaptable, are now
restricted primarily to the western two-thirds of the
state.
As a ruminant species, the mule deer has limited ability to digest highly fibrous plant
material. Because of this, its metabolic rate varies with the seasons – high metabolism in the summer months
when easily digestible plants are available and lower metabolism in the winter months when only highly fibrous
plant material is available. They can also feed on acorns, berries and other fleshy fruit to a lesser extent. ■
NEBRASKAland
P H O T O C O N T E S T
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Lindsay Rogers is an
outdoor education
specialist with the
Nebraska Game and
Parks Commission.
PHOTO
BY
JUSTIN
HAAG
mits
