Yosemite Mule Deer shadows

Common all over the western U.S., mule deer are the most easily spotted mammal in Yosemite National Park. They are easily recognized by the shape of... more

by LeeAnn McLaneGoetz McLaneGoetzStudioLLCcom

Title

Yosemite Mule Deer shadows

Artist

LeeAnn McLaneGoetz McLaneGoetzStudioLLCcom

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Common all over the western U.S., mule deer are the most easily spotted mammal in Yosemite National Park. They are easily recognized by the shape of their ears, which actually do resemble mules' ears, and by their tails, which are often white with black tips. During your Yosemite vacation, you will most likely glimpse them bounding across meadows or grazing beside trails in the forest.

An unusual fact about mule deer is their bounding gait: when they run, all four feet hit the ground at once, giving them an athletic ability to turn and change directions quickly. You'll get a chance to see this if you accidentally startle them while hiking along the park's forested hiking trails.

Despite being preyed upon by mountain lions, mule deer are still among the most prolific fauna in the park. Their diet mainly consists of tender twigs, grasses, and herbs, as well as berries and acorns. They migrate seasonally between the Sierra Nevada highlands and the foothills, following the food supply and avoiding the coldest temperatures and deepest snows in the mountains. You can see them year-round, however, in Yosemite Valley.

Uploaded

July 1st, 2011