A young mule deer, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, 2012.
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are named for their conspicuous ears, which, you've probably guessed, resemble those of a mule. Distinguish this deer from white-tailed deer with just a few comparisons: the ears, color of the tail and configuration of antlers. The mule deer has a black-tipped tail, bifurcated antlers (they fork as they grow) and very large mule-like ears. White-tailed deer do not have these characteristics.
U.S. National Park Service
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