mule deer

noun

1. a deer, Odocoileus hemionus, of western North America, having large ears and a gray coat.

mule deer

noun

1. a W North American deer, Odocoileus hemionus, with long ears and a black-tipped tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of mule deer¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Santa Catalina Island’s mule deer are back in the crosshairs.

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Either way, the coyotes found a ready food source in the fawn of mule deer, which themselves have a controversial history on the island.

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That said, these two sites are a true escape, and you’ll likely see wildlife like mule deer and hear the howls of coyotes.

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More than any other animal, mule deer cause more injuries to visitors in the park, according to a National Park Service Instagram post.

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Its native grasses and forested hillsides host nesting ospreys and more than 200 other bird species, along with mule deer, wild turkeys, coyotes and the rare pipevine swallowtail butterfly.

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