What feature gives the white-tailed deer (*Odocoileus virginianus*) its common name?
Answer
The white underside of its tail
The common name for the white-tailed deer, *Odocoileus virginianus*, is directly derived from a distinctive physical characteristic: the underside of its tail, which is distinctly white. When the deer feels alarmed or is fleeing, it characteristically lifts this tail, flashing the white fur as a visual signal to warn other deer or perhaps startle a predator. This prominent feature sets it apart visually from many other cervids and is noted as a key element when understanding its morphology and signaling behavior within its environment.
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