Mule Deer

Delivery Note: 

For those looking to purchase 'Physical Adoption' certificates, we recommend making your order by Sunday, December 3rd to guarantee delivery by Sunday, December 24th, as shipping times can be 2-3 weeks during the holiday season.

Don't worry if you miss the physical certificate deadline! 'Digital Adoption' certificates are available for purchase until 12:00 pm MST on December 24th, so you can spread holiday cheer right up until the last minute. Please note that digital certificates purchased after the 12:00 p.m. deadline on December 24th will not be processed until December 27th.

(Odocoileus hemionus). Patient Number 23-853.

Date of admission: June 27, 2023.
Reason for admission: Orphaned.

Patient History:

Mule Deer are abundant across Alberta and are also found across much of Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. Although they are generally observed grazing on shrubs and berries in rural habitats, they are increasingly common in urban environments. Backyard trees and shrubs provide an excellent food source, while ravines provide shelter from the weather and predators.

Although the Mule Deer range overlaps heavily with the White-tailed deer range, they are in fact a different species entirely. Mule deer are larger in size and their antlers are forked rather than a central branch with points, as seen in White-tailed Deer. The best marker to identify a Mule Deer is the underside of its tail. A white-tailed deer’s tail is white, while the mule deer has a black tip and is much smaller.

Between November and February, bucks battle for the right to mate with females. The gestation period is approximately 200 to 210 days, and fawns are typically born in May or June. Pregnant females will give birth in seclusion, often choosing wooded areas hidden away from the watchful eye of would-be predators. Fawns are fragile, so a doe will carefully hide her fawn when she goes off to feed. The fawn will not be strong enough to follow her while she forages for upwards of a week to 10 days. She will return to care for her fawn on a regular basis. A fawn's spots can help it remain perfectly camouflaged while the mother is gone. As deer become more comfortable living in urban environments, homeowners are commonly discovering fawns that have been hidden in their backyard bushes and neighboring ravines. Fawns are weaned at about 2 months and start to lose their spots roughly around the same time.

This fawn was admitted after being orphaned. Upon intake, she was dehydrated and in weak condition but has since recovered and is doing well. She will remain in care at AIWC until she is old enough to return to the wild.

Thank you for supporting her care!

They have now been successfully returned to the wild.

 

Mule Deer

Our Adoption Program Includes:

  • An 8x10 colour photo of the patient
  • An adoption certificate with the patient's story
  • A tax receipt for the full amount of the donation

Thank you for your support of Alberta’s wildlife!

Please note:

  1. To support the care of an animal that you have found, please make a comment in the "Additional Details" area before placing the order.
  2. Electronic adoption certificates will be emailed within 1-2 business days. If you are requesting to support an animal that you have found, an additional 5 business days will be required to complete the transaction. Mailed adoption certificates will be processed within 5 business days. If your request is time sensitive, please make a note in the "Additional Details" before placing the order.
  • Sale
  • Regular price $25.00

Tax receipts are eligible for donations of $15 and over. Tax receipts are sent to the original purchaser of the adoption.