Colorado Mountain Wildlife

One of the great joys of living on Colorado mountain land is the abundance of wildlife. These are pictures deer taken right off our deck last winter. There are two species of Deer in Colorado; mule deer or Mulies - with their rope-like tails, evenly forked antlers and extravagant ears. White-tails have smaller ears, antlers with a single main beam bearing smaller tines and their signature broad white tails.

Both species of deer are about four to six feet long and stand three feet or more high at the shoulder. The weights of large bucks range over 400 pounds, but does are only half that size. Adult males begin to grow antlers in the spring, they are used in a clash for dominance and breeding rights in autumn. Antlers are then shed in winter.

Mule deer are abundant statewide. White-tails have become increasingly common in stream side, woodland and nearby crop lands along the rivers of the eastern plains.

Deer are browsers, feeding mostly on woody vegetation, including twigs and leaves of shrubs and trees. They also forage on crops, especially corn. Because they eat little grass, they tend not to compete seriously with livestock or elk. (Species details from the Colorado Division of Wildlife)

Watch for more posts on the the wonderful wildlife here in the Colorado mountains.