Congeners

 

No, the Lake has not been invaded by giant eels; that is the conger. I am discussing congeners: species that share a genus. The genus of interest here is the Odocoileus, what most people refer to as deer. 

We have two species of this genus around the Lake: white-tailed deer, and mule deer. A rule of thumb is that the mule deer occupies the mountain slopes and the white-tailed, the valley floor. The one I see frequently (often in my yard) is the white-tailed. Less often do I spot a mule deer.

Early last Friday morning, I saw both species within five minutes. They are congeners: the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is found across most of the continent while the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a western species. That their ranges overlap in southeastern B.C. is clear from Friday morning’s pictures.

The white-tailed deer has smallish ears and large tail, the underside of which is white (for which it is named).

 The mule deer has largish ears (for which it is named) and a rope-like tail with a black end.

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2 Responses to Congeners

  1. Larry Halverson says:

    Have you come across any crosses over there – between White-tail and Mule Deer?

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