 |
|
Mule deer moms rescue other fawns
May 31, 2007Mule deer are giving new meaning to watching out for other mothers' kids.
An intriguing study of mule deer and whitetail deer conducted by the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada and the University of Lethbridge, also in Canada, showed that both species responded to the recorded distress calls of fawns, similar to the responses elicited when coyotes attack fawns, with mule deer mothers responding to both whitetail and mule deer calls, even when their own fawn stood next to them. In contrast, the whitetail mothers responded only to their own species' call, and only when they could not see their own fawn.
"The fact that mule deer ran to the speaker when their own fawn was standing next to them safe and sound revealed they do not help other fawns because they mistake them for their own," said lead author Susan Lingle, who conducted the research as a postdoctoral fellow in biological sciences at the University of Alberta and in psychology at the University of Lethbridge.
"It was surprising just how indiscriminate mule deer females were. For example, the females that weren't even mothers also ran to the speakers to help fawns. That would not be expected if females were simply trying to protect their own fawns."
The results appear in this month's issue of Animal Behaviour.
In field trials using speakers that broadcast the calls of fawns under threat, the mule deer came to the speaker and stayed there as long as the calls played, twisting and turning as they confronted the perceived attackers. Whitetail mothers that came close to the speaker tended to withdraw right away and then stayed safely outside that distance.
The behaviour of mule deer defies traditional explanations that parental care, kin selection or reciprocity play a part in the defence of fawns other than their own. But while the study's findings seem to point to mule deer as superior mothers, the motivation for looking out for other fawns is likely based not on altruism but on simple survival, said Lingle.
"Having a rigid and aggressive response to the simple sound of a fawn distress call may ensure effective defence of a female's own offspring, even though this means the female invests time and energy and puts herself at risk by helping many other animals. In contrast, a whitetail mother waits to assess whether a fawn is her own before she steps in to defend it. As a result, whitetail fawns suffer considerably more predation during the first months of life than do mule deer fawns."
Mule deer may have developed a more effective aggressive defence because they rely on fighting to protect themselves against predators year-round, while whitetails and many other species restrict aggressive defence to just the youngest fawns. Whitetails rely on flight rather than fight for most of their lives, so this may affect their ability to mount an aggressive defence," Lingle said.
University of Alberta
"It was surprising just how indiscriminate mule deer females were. For example, the females that weren't even mothers also ran to the speakers to help fawns. That would not be expected if females were simply trying to protect their own fawns."
The results appear in this month's issue of Animal Behaviour.
In field trials using speakers that broadcast the calls of fawns under threat, the mule deer came to the speaker and stayed there as long as the calls played, twisting and turning as they confronted the perceived attackers. Whitetail mothers that came close to the speaker tended to withdraw right away and then stayed safely outside that distance.
The behaviour of mule deer defies traditional explanations that parental care, kin selection or reciprocity play a part in the defence of fawns other than their own. But while the study's findings seem to point to mule deer as superior mothers, the motivation for looking out for other fawns is likely based not on altruism but on simple survival, said Lingle.
"Having a rigid and aggressive response to the simple sound of a fawn distress call may ensure effective defence of a female's own offspring, even though this means the female invests time and energy and puts herself at risk by helping many other animals. In contrast, a whitetail mother waits to assess whether a fawn is her own before she steps in to defend it. As a result, whitetail fawns suffer considerably more predation during the first months of life than do mule deer fawns."
Mule deer may have developed a more effective aggressive defence because they rely on fighting to protect themselves against predators year-round, while whitetails and many other species restrict aggressive defence to just the youngest fawns. Whitetails rely on flight rather than fight for most of their lives, so this may affect their ability to mount an aggressive defence," Lingle said.
University of Alberta
Grazing animals help spread plant disease
Researchers have discovered that grazing animals such as deer and rabbits are actually helping to spread plant disease - quadrupling its prevalence in some cases - and encouraging an invasion of annual grasses that threaten more than 20 million acres of native grasslands in California.
Study of polar dinosaur migration questions whether dinosaurs were truly the first great migrators
Contrary to popular belief, polar dinosaurs may not have traveled nearly as far as originally thought when making their bi-annual migration.
Grizzly bears feast on diverse diet
There's no such thing as picky grizzly bears—they'll eat almost anything they can find. A new University of Alberta study that tracked food habits of the Alberta grizzly bear living in the foothills sheds some light on the animal's varied diet and their activity pattern.
Cougar predation key to ecosystem health
The general disappearance of cougars from a portion of Zion National Park in the past 70 years has allowed deer populations to dramatically increase, leading to severe ecological damage, loss of cottonwood trees, eroding streambanks, and declining biodiversity.
Seal rookeries could provide a reliable food source for endangered California condors, study finds
A team of scientists is proposing that endangered California condors raised in captivity be released near seal and sea lion rookeries so that the birds can once again feast on the carcasses of marine mammals as their ancestors did centuries ago.
More Mule Deer Current Events and Mule Deer News Articles
 |
Hunting Open-Country Mule Deer by Dwight Schuh (Author) |
 |
The Complete Guide to Mule Deer Hunting: Tactics and Strategies for Success by Sam Curtis (Author) Deer hunting has often been termed difficult, humbling, and ceremonial. This is because to do it correctly, a hunter has so much to learn-including learning about mule deer habitats, and how deer use those habitats at different times of the year, and under diverse conditions. Found within the pages of The Complete Guide to Mule Deer Hunting is a wealth of solid, useful information on hunting tactics, as well as mule deer habits and habitats from which the reader will greatly benefit on his next trip to the West. Like the soft-heeled step of a still-hunter Sam Curtis writes with a fine balance between an instructional how-to voice and light-hearted humor. With detailed photography and step-by-step illustrations, as well as comprehensive practical advice and encouragement... |
 |
Ask the Mule Deer Guides by J.Y. Jones (Author) Within these pages you can read what the best mule deer minds on the North American continent have to say about getting a trophy buck-one that will be the centerpiece of your collection. That's a lot more know-how than any one of us can ever hope to obtain about mule deer, and it is all here in this book. |
 |
Mule Deer: Behavior, Ecology, Conservation (Wildlife) by Erwin A. Bauer (Author), Peggy Bauer (Photographer) "Mule Deer" examines all facets of the life and environment of the mule deer, which inhabit the western portion of North America. Mule deer are the cousins of the whitetails, though they are a separate species. This book is Classic Bauer, filled with overview of facts, behavior, and conservation, as well as stories from Erwin's personal experiences. Also recommended: "Whitetails: Behavior, Ecology, Conservation," "Majestic Whitetails," "Big Game of North America," and "Antlers: Nature's Majestic Crown." |
 |
Mule Deer Hunting Strategies by Walt Prothero (Author) A symbol of the West, the mule deer can be one of the toughest animals to hunt. Especially when you're after a crafty, trophy buck, you really have to know what you're doing to be successful. In Mule Deer Strategies, Walt Prothero reveals all of the tactics that have helped him become a hugely successful mule deer hunter from choosing optics and glassing, to picking the right gun, to the six prime methods of hunting: stand hunting, still hunting, driving, brushing, tracking, and rattling. Follow Prothero's advice - tailor it to different types of terrain and climatic conditions - and you too can be a successful mule deer hunter. (6 X 9, 200 pages, color photos, b&w photos, diagrams) |
 |
Mule Deer Hunting (The Complete Hunter) by Jim Zumbo (Author) Over 100 brilliant color photographs support the text and give the readers a feel of the habitat and terrain. |
 |
Stalking Trophy Mule Deer by Walt Prothero (Author) Stand hunting. Still hunting. Driving. Platoon brushing. Rattling. The loop method. These are among the strategies described in this book that produce successful mule deer trophies. The wily mule deer's keen sense of hearing, nerves of steel, and unpredictability make it one of nature's true survivors. It has become one of the hardest North American game animals to bag, and its remarkable ability to adapt gives it a decided edge over the average hunter. Stalking Trophy Mule Deer is packed with field-tested advice, fascinating data on mule deer behavior, and a wealth of first-person hunting stories. Learn the mule deer's instincts and habits, its wide range, and its preferred foods. Learn also the best ways of tracking it, how to judge trophy deer in the field, the importance of... |
 |
Mule Deer 2010 Wall Calendar 13" x 10.5" by ClassicVariety |
 |
Mule Deer: Hunting Today's Trophies by Jim Van Norman (Author), Jim Van Norman (Author), Tom Carpenter (Author) A tribute to both the deer and the people who hunt them, this title features more than 30 photographs and 150 b&w photos and diagrams. The book includes information on prime mule deer habitats, where to look for big deer, choosing a stand, and effective weapons for the hunt. |
 |
Plush Mule Deer 8" by Aurora Were busy adding products and product descriptions. A description hasnt been added to this product yet, but its coming very soon. If you have any questions, please visit our Help section. You may also click here to contact us or click the chat live banner in the left column of this page. Our products are made by top manufacturers who care about toy safety, quality and value. Your order will ship factory fresh directly from our warehouse to your door. We carefully inspect and beautifully package every order before shipment to ensure that you receive high quality products that are delivered accurately every time you order. We want you to be completely satisfied with your order. We stand behind every product we sell with a full money back guarantee. If youre not completely satisfied... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |