Ungulates of Idaho

What is an ungulate? Literally, "ungulate" refers to any animal with hooves - a hoof being an enlarged toenail

Some of the ungulates of Idaho Mule deer White tail deer Moose Elk Caribou Pronghorn antelope Mountain goat Big horn sheep

Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus Mule deer are "mule like" in that they have large ears about ¾ the length of their head. Because of the resemblance to the large ears of mules, mule deer are also known as "Muleys" or "Burro Deer." Mule deer are probably the most common large- game animal in Idaho, with a population of over 300,000.

More characteristics The mule deer have a stiff-legged almost leap where all four feet seem to leave the ground at the same time. With this movement, they can reach a speed of 45 mph for short distances. Mule deer antlers are normally smaller and branch to form two equal forks, while the white-tailed deer has forward curving antlers with a number of points, called tines, branching from the main beam.

Mule Deer Migration

Stats These deer range from feet tall at the shoulder, feet long and have a tail that is 5-8 inches long. they can weigh between pounds. The female deer are smaller than the male. Mule deer usually live 9-11 years in the wild Rut in Early November- 200 day gestation Twins are normal

White tail Deer Odocoileus virginianus White-tailed deer are highly successful and are the most widely-distributed hoofed animal on the continent. In Idaho, the white-tailed population is an estimated 200,000 deer. Besides a solid coat, these deer also have a white underside and throat patch. When alarmed, whitetails wave their bright white tail back and forth like a flag to signal danger to other deer in the area. Antlers on bucks consist of a single non-branching beam with points coming off the main beam on each side

Stats lbs. Weight increases as you range to higher latitudes Rut in early November- 200 day gestation Twins are common Live years Will migrate to winter ranges Dichromatic vision- see yellows and blues poorly distinguish oranges/reds

Stats Cont. Crepuscular Boundaries overlap with Mule deer and hybrids do exist

Difference Both mule deer and white-tailed deer are found in Idaho, and it is important to know the difference between them. If you see them up close, there are two easy ways to tell them apart. First, check the tail. The mule deer's tail is black-tipped and hangs down. The white-tailed deer's tail is larger, uplifted, bushy, and all white. If you can't get a look at the tail, glance at the antlers. Mule deer's antlers are normally smaller and branch to form two equal forks, while the white-tailed deer has forward curving antlers with a number of points called tines. If you miss both of those clues, remember that whitetails have a more leisurely, graceful leap compared to that of the mule deer which has more of a bounding gait with all four hooves hitting the ground together.

Moose Idaho’s Angry Ungulate Alces alces The moose, also called the European elk, is the largest member of the deer family. 22,000 moose reside in Idaho. Shiras moose is the subspecies found in Idaho Male moose (bulls) can weigh as much as 7 average adult human men. Baby moose are called calves and weigh 28 to 35 pounds at birth, but within 5 months these little guys can grow to over 300 pounds. When fully grown, moose stand about 5- 8 feet at the shoulder with a body length of 8 to 10.5 feet.

Stats Prehensile lip- aids in grabbing food Vegetarian- eats around 70lbs. a day Solitary most of the year Breeding occurs in Sept/Oct. Gestation is 231 days/avg. Can live to 15 years 50% of calves die in the first 6 weeks of life

Alces alces shirasi- subspecies found in Idaho

Woodland Caribou Caribou are a member of the deer family and are adapted to cope with harsh winter conditions. One of their adaptation techniques for these harsh winters is large, concave hooves that allow them to travel in deep snow conditions. Today, the woodland caribou is one of the most critically endangered mammals in the U.S., with only a few woodland caribou found south of the Canada border each year.

Stats Rangifer tarandus Height: Average 4 feet (1.2m) tall at the shoulder Length: 6 feet (1.8m) Weight: pounds ( kg); males are larger than females Lifespan: years in the wild Only deer member where male and female grow antlers. Approximately 40 animals left

Stats Cont. Lichens are primary food source- takes 60+ years to grow Rut in October 1 calf is born in early June Climate change is changing plant communities that they depend on for food Trophic mismatch- plants are blooming earlier/losing their nutritional value by the time the caribou arrive

Pronghorn Antelope Antilocapra americana They are the speediest land mammal in North America, and we have around 15,000 in Idaho. Directly over a pronghorn's large eyes are their black horns, different from the antlers found on elk or moose. Horns are hollow sheaths formed over a permanently- attached bony core that grows from the skull. Antlers are instead shed each year. Pronghorn are the only species to annually shed their horn sheath and are also the only animal to have a forked horn design. Horns of the males are inches in length, but the female's horns are much smaller, usually no bigger than 6-8 inches.

Stats The pronghorn inhabits open plains and semi-deserts, living alone or in small bands in summer and forming large herds in winter. Being highly mobile, the pronghorn may cover a large area during the year. Pronghorns successfully survive both bitter cold temperatures of 50 below zero and desert heats of up to 130 degrees. The pronghorn is second only to the cheetah in speed. But while cheetahs are winded after a quarter-mile, a pronghorn can maintain a 60 mph pace for three or four minutes. It can comfortably cruise at 30 mph for up to five miles before slowing. Hair is hollow Usually have twins

Stats Live in open areas- usually sagebrush country Have excellent vision- comparable to looking through 8x binoculars Large heart and lungs with light bones 75 to 135lbs. Predators include- Coyotes, Bobcats, Mountain lions, Golden eagles

North American Range

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Besides the horns, can you differentiate a male from a female?

Mountain Goats Oreamnos americanus A long and thick winter coat looks like a weathered white beard which is shed for a shorter and less- shaggy coat in the summer. Mountain goat's eyes, nose, and hooves are all black. Also, on their narrow head are two slender, black, shiny horns rising in a backward curve to a length of inches. Hanging from the chin is a double beard of long hair. Most mountain goats stand from three to four feet tall at the shoulder and range from 48 to 70 inches in length. Males are larger than the females. The young, called "kids", usually weigh in at around pounds.

These massive, strong goats are adapted to be great climbers. Weighing an average of pounds, mountain goats have short, powerful legs with large hooves that make this animal sure footed and agile. The hooves have sharp outer rims and cushioned skid-proof pads that grip and provide traction on steep, smooth surfaces

Stats Rut from October to December Single kid is born late May/ early June

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Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis The bighorn sheep is best known for the head- to-head combat between males, which has been observed to last up to 24 hours. They may reach one another at speeds of miles per hour, with an estimated force of 2400 pounds. The bigger the horns, the higher the rank. By the time a ram reaches 7 or 8 years of age, his set of horns may be a full curl, up to 33 inches wide and as much as 30 pounds. That is quite a bit of extra weight to carry around! The female's shorter, narrower horns never exceed half a curl.

BH Sheep Bighorn sheep find safety in numbers. When predators (like wolves, coyotes and mountain lions) threaten a group, they come together in a circle and face out towards the predator. Although not as well built for climbing as the mountain goat, bighorn sheep zigzag up and down cliff faces with amazing ease. Its hooves are sharp-edged, elastic, and soft on the inside, which helps give traction when bouncing from ledge to ledge over spans as wide as 20 feet. They can scramble up mountain slopes at 15 mph and even move over level ground at 30 miles per hour.

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Elk - Cervus canadensis

Physical Characteristics At birth an elk calf weighs 35 pounds. It gains two pounds a day for the first few weeks. Cow elk weigh up to 500 pounds. An average bull weighs 700 pounds, and can tip the scale at 1200 pounds.

Elk and the Seasons Elk’s range used to stretch as far east as Virginia and as far south as Mississippi. Elk are losing habitat at a fast rate and thus the population continues to decline. In Colorado alone, 35,000 acres of habitat are lost every year!!!

Seasonal usage SPRING – Warmer temperatures and melting snow cause the elk to begin to move. They move up the mountains, because of freshly exposed vegetation, which provides needed nutrition. Bulls usually go first, followed by cows and young. Not all elk migrate, if they have plentiful food and shelter they may stay in the same place year round (Yellowstone).

Late spring/early summer Young are born after an 8 ½ month gestation period. Calving time coincides when the most nutritious food is available. When a cow gives birth she leaves the herd and gives birth by herself. Elk calves are defenseless, except for their camouflaging spots and lack of odor. The first three weeks are the most dangerous for the calves.

Elk Calves

Birthing

Out comes the little one…

Mom cleans off the calf

After birth… The only defense for an animal that can barely move is camouflage, being both odorless and motionless. After birth the mother eats the placenta, cleans up any other fluid and even eats the young’s feces to keep her scent free. She will graze away from the young so predators are not attracted to the defenseless calf.

Summer time Usually in July cows and calves begin forming nursery groups. The size of the group depends on the habitat: small groups = densely forested area, large groups = open prairies. One cow will be surrounded by several calves and will be a baby sitter. Bulls usually spend summer alone or in small groups at higher elevation.

Summer Elk eat almost all the time during the summer. They feed most often at dawn and dusk. If feeding in herds, usually there is one individual with its head up.

Autumn The rut begins. Elk move to lower elevation. Mature bulls move in among cows and calves. These groups are called harems. Adolescent males are driven off by bulls. By September a bull’s antlers are fully grown and ready for display and battling.

The rut

The Season of the Elk

Yellowstone Park

Bulls wallow If mud is available bulls will wallow in mud to keep cool. It also helps to spread his scent evenly. Elks bugle during the rut. Usually a large mature male will bugle more loudly than their younger rivals. Harems disband when the rut ends.

Bull Elk in his wallow

Winter Cows and bulls will occupy separate ranges in the winter. Elk eat less and rest more.