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Common
name: Rocky Mountain Elk
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Species:
Cervus elphus
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Description:
Short, stiff sparsely distributed hairs that lie close to the skin.
The hairs appear glossy. The hairs are red-brown or light tan. The
legs, neck and head remain dark.
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Habitat:
They occupy the highlands of the Rocky Mountain area, as well
as the grasslands of the Hanford Reach.
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Food: Elk
feed on all kinds of plants, but are primarily grazers of grasses.
They also eat the twigs, and needles of trees and deciduous shrubs,
especially during the winter.
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Range:
They range from Oklahoma, Arizona, California, Washington, Oregon,
Idaho, and Canada.
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Reproduction:
It takes an elk two years and four months to start breeding.
The males fight over females. Females give birth to a single calf.
They are usually born in May and in June.
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Other:
The natural enemies are the mountain lion, bobcat, wolf, coyote,
dog, bear.
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More
information:
Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation
Elk
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Common
name: Mule Deer
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Species:
Odocoileus Hemionus
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Description:
Large ears that move constantly and independently. The color changing
from gray to orange, depends on the time of the year. Weight: 125-330
lbs. Length with tail: 50-85". Shoulder Height: 3-3.5".
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Habitat:
Mule Deer move to various zones from the forest edges at higher
elevation to the desert floor, depending on the season.
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Food: Food
of the Mule Deer is quite varied. In spring and summer it feeds
on green leaves, herbs, weeds and grasses more than on browse species.
The reverse is true in fall and winter.
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Range:
Throughout the entire western U.S., including the four deserts
of the American Southwest.
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Reproduction:
The season of reproduction for Mule Deer is at its peak in November
and December, as antlered stags round up females and fight for their
possession.
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Other:
Mule Deer are excellent swimmers, most of the time deer swim to
save themselves from the predators.
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More
information :
Mule
Deer Foundation
Arizona
Mule Deer Association
Alberta
White-tail and Mule Deer Association
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Common
name: White-tailed Deer
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Species:
Odocoileus virginianus
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Description:
White-tailed Deer have the white underside of the tail, which is
held conspicuously erect like a sign when the animal is running.
Color is usually brown. Size is about 60", and weight is 220
pounds
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Habitat:
Deer can be found in open woodland and are also often found
on the fringes of urban areas and in farming country.
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Food: White-tail
deer feed on a variety of vegetation. Usually eat brush, yucca,
prickly pear cactus, and grasses.
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Range:
White-tailed deer live throughout North America from southern
Canada through Central America.
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Reproduction:
Males start fighting for the females. The stronger male gets
the best female. Babies are born in May and June. They are called
"fawns".
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Other: White-tailed
deer like to swim. It helps them escape from predators
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More
information :
Desert
USA
Pittsburgh
zoo and Aquarium
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