Mule Deer-Odocoileus heinousis indigenous to North America, and many of them live throughout California. They eat shrubs, leaves, twigs, flowers, grass, mushrooms, vines and sometimes they can be found browsing in urban gardens. They are easy to recognize because they have large ears, hence the name “mule” deer. They are a brown/grey color, with a white rump, a white tail with black on the end of the tailm and they have a grey face. Mule Deer are the largest member of the deer family, and they can weigh up to 280 lbs.
These deer have a life span up to 11 years in the wild, but they can live much longer in captivity. Their biggest predators are Mountain Lions and man. The Mountain Lion will eat one deer a week on average, and of course, man hunts them for food and trophy. Bears and Coyotes may also prey on deer, and automobiles also kill a great number of deer every year.
