How you can tell the Difference between a White-tailed and a Mule Deer

While you spend part of your camping trip to visit Yellowstone Bear World you might begin to wonder what the difference is between a Mule deer and a White-tailed deer. While driving through our 50 acre enclosure, you will see all sorts of wildlife. It will be easy to tell the difference between the bears, elk, wolves, mountain goats, bison, and moose. The two types of deer are a little bit more difficult. Once you know what to look for, you will become a master of differentiation and you will be able to impress your family and friends.

white tail

The Face

One of the best ways to tell the difference between a White-tailed deer and Mule deer is by looking at their face. The face of a Mule deer is mostly white, while the White-tail has a face that is brown, but its eyes and mouth have a thin ring of white fur around them.

The Back

Another way to determine the difference between the two deer is by comparing their rumps. You will notice that the back of a Mule deer is white. Their thin tails are also white with a dark tip. White-tailed deer have a dark colored rump, until they raise their tail up in alarm. The underside of their big tail is white. Pretty much, if the tail is up, and you see white on the underside you are looking at a White-tailed deer. That tail is what gives the White-tailed deer its name.

Their ears

Mule deer get their name from their ears. Their ears are larger and tend to be set at about a 30-degree angle on the head. White-tailed deer on the other hand, have ears which are rounded and stand more erect.

Time to take the test

Come on, what are you waiting for? If you really want to test your skills of differentiation, it is time to head over to Yellowstone Bear World. Here you will be able to see plenty of Mule and White-tailed Deer. A trip to Yellowstone Bear World will be the crown jewel of any trip you take to Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park. Stop on in and test your new found skills.

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