![]() A whitetail, on the other hand, normally covers most of its narrow white patch with a thick, dark tail but raises its tail to alert, or flag, others of danger. ![]() Whether the tail is up or down, you can always see plenty of white on the rump of a mule deer. However, the majority of the time you see more white on the tail end of a mule deer, which has a very large patch of white, only partly covered by a rope-like, white tail with a black tip. In its scientific classification, Odocoileus hemionus, the species name is Latin for “half-mule.” The white-tailed deer is Odocoileus virginianus - the later part of that title referring to when the species was once known as the “Virginia deer.” If mule deer get their common name from up front, whitetails get theirs from the other end. The mule deer gets its name from its overly large ears. While elk can stand over 5 feet and weigh over 800 pounds, whitetails are much smaller, never exceeding 3.5-feet in height and 250 pounds in weight.Mule Deer vs White-tailed Deer – Buck Head View Now let’s compare Elk to some common types of deer you may be familiar with. Elk are heavier and have a different hoof shape, leaving two round halves on each hoof. Tracksĭeer are lighter and soft-footed, leaving heart-shaped tracks. This can be heard from miles away and is more prominent during the morning and evening, and it’s a key difference when comparing deer vs Elk. Elk use sounds during mating season, sending a very loud bugling call during the autumn months. Animals like whitetails, roe, and mule deer can make sounds, such as bleats, grunts, and high-pitched squeals. Humans often walk past deer without even knowing they are there. Silence is one of the best defenses deer use to evade predators. Deer will be more diverse and eat fruits, shoots, grasses, lichens, bark, and vegetables. Dietīoth deer and elk eat plant-based diets, but elk is more of a specialist that grazes on grass. Elk can go even faster in the opening, achieving speeds of 45 miles per hour. Other Distinguishing Characteristics Speedĭeer have a top speed of 30 miles per hour, which they use to escape from predators. They also grow manes during the winter to preserve body heat. Elk look more imposing with a shaggy coat designed to withstand cold winters. Color of the Coatĭeer have reddish-brown coats that may turn grey during winter, while some species, like the whitetail, will have white speckles and a white tail (think Bambi and you’ve got it). Elk boasts the usual antlers associated with deer species, big, branched antlers that stretch far above the head. Size of AntlersĬlassic deer species have spiky antlers or shorter branches antlers. Elk can reach over 5 feet in height, over 9 feet in length, and weigh up to 800 pounds. Species like white-tail, roe, and mule deer are smaller, with a height of 3.5 feet, length of 7 feet, and a maximum weight of 300 pounds. Perhaps the most observable difference between elk and normal deer species is size. Elk are more suited to forests higher up in mountain ranges. Now let’s take a closer look at some of the differences between Elk and Deer outlined above.īull Elk in a forest, antlers covered in velvet Range & HabitatĬlassic deer species will live in grasslands, savannahs, and forests. Hooves leave a delicate heart-shaped print. Hooves leave prints in two circular parallel halves. Largely silent but can make chirping sounds, bleats, and squeals. Loud mating calls and other roaring vocalizations. Plant-based specialist that grazes on grass.įoraging animals with a diverse plant-based diet, including plants, leaves, grasses, lichens, tree bark, and fruit. ![]() Spiky antlers or shorter, branched antlers curving to the face. Tall, large, and imposing branched antlers on males only that curve towards the body. Species like whitetails have parts that are white. More off-brown that turns greyish brown during the winter months. Shaggy hair and a mane to protect them during cold winters. Height of 3.5 feet, length of 7 feet, and a maximum weight of 300 pounds.īlacker legs with thick, brown coat. Widespread worldwide and found in forests, savannahs, grasslands, deserts, and even urban areas.ĥ feet in height, over 9 feet in length, and weighs up to 800 pounds. Let’s start with a quick, side-by-side comparison between Elk and Deer to highlight the unique characteristics that distinguish Elk from other types of deer.įorested mountainous regions in small pockets around North America. ![]()
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