Odocoileus – White-tailed & mule deer

The members of this genus are readily distinguished from each other based on their tail color, ear size, antler configuration, and in many cases, body size as well. The tail tip of mule deer is black, whereas the white-tailed deer do not have a black tail tip. Moreover, the mule deer has bifurcated antlers instead of consisting of a single main beam, as is the case of the white-tailed deer.

These animals are herbivores, and their diet mainly consists of legumes, grasses, leaves, shoots, and cacti. Both species of this genus currently have stable populations. They are designated as Least concern, but as with all other species on this planet, human activity and resultant habitat change remain a primary threat.