How does the primary escape locomotion of *O. virginianus* differ from *Odocoileus hemionus*?

Answer

White-tails typically bound or run with a specific, stiff-legged gait.

A primary evolutionary distinction between the white-tailed deer and the mule deer (*Odocoileus hemionus*) lies in their response to danger, specifically their modes of locomotion. White-tailed deer exhibit a bounding or running motion characterized by a stiff-legged gait. This gait is thought to be highly advantageous in the denser cover of forests and mixed woodlands, their typical range, allowing for quick maneuvering around obstacles. In contrast, mule deer employ a distinctive 'stotting' or jumping motion where all four feet often leave the ground simultaneously, which is better suited for visibility in the more open, arid, or mountainous terrain they often inhabit.

How does the primary escape locomotion of *O. virginianus* differ from *Odocoileus hemionus*?

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