Have you ever noticed all the deer crossing signs on the Alberta roads! I started watching for them, and discovered that there does not seem to be any standard. In Alberta we have five main species of deer which are White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Elk, Moose and Caribou. Around the Dog Pound area, all are common except for Caribou. See description of each of the Dog Pound deer below!
1) White-tailed Deer....
Size
◾Average weight for bucks is 90 kilograms (200 pounds). ◾Does weigh about 60 kilograms (130 pounds).
Appearance
◾Colouration changes from reddish-brown in summer to greyish- brown in winter. ◾Tail is broad and brown, fringed with white, and white underneath. When running, the tail is held erect, exposing its white underside, hence the name "white-tail." ◾Unlike mule deer, white-tails have no rump patch. ◾Buck’s antlers have unbranched tines extending up from single beams. ◾White-tailed deer are extremely wary, and when alarmed they move rapidly, bounding away in smooth, graceful leaps.
White-tailed Deer by Safari Cachers ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2) Mule Deer....
Size
◾Bucks average weight is about 100 kilograms (220 pounds). ◾Average weight for does is about 70 kilograms (155 pounds).
Appearance
◾Mule deer get their name from their large, mule-like ears. ◾Both male and female mule deer have seasonal colour variations. The coat is greyish-brown in winter and reddish-brown in summer. ◾The thin, brown tail has a black tip and is surrounded by a white rump patch. ◾The antlers of bucks are a distinguishing trait. The beam of each antler divides into two equal tines, and in older bucks these may divide again. ◾Mule deer exhibit a distinct, stiff-legged, bouncing gait when running.
Mule Deer by Safari Cachers ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3) Elk....
Size
◾Bulls can weigh close to 450 kilograms (1000 pounds) and cows up to 270 kilograms (600 pounds).
Appearance
◾Elk are generally tan in color, with dark brown over the head, neck and legs. ◾Both males and females have a prominent, cream-colored rump patch. ◾Large sweeping antlers on the dark brown head of a bull elk distinguish it from all other deer. Each antler has a single beam, with up to six tines projecting from it.
Elk by Safari Cachers ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4) Moose....
Size
◾Moose are the largest members of the deer family in the world. ◾Bulls can weigh over 450 kilograms (1000 pounds) and stand 2.3 metres (7.5 feet) at the shoulder. ◾Cows average about 350 kilograms (770 pounds).
Appearance
◾Moose are easily identified by their large size and dark colouration which varies from dark brown to black. ◾Other distinguishing features of both sexes are: ◾Broad muzzle ◾Shoulder hump ◾A loose fold of skin called a "bell" which hangs under the throat ◾Bulls have broad, palm-like antlers that can measure as much as 1.8 metres (6 feet) from tip to tip, and together both may weigh up to 40 kilograms (88 pounds).
Moose by Safari Cachers ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Antler configuration can help identify male (buck or bull) deer. Moose antlers can be very large and are palmated. Elk antlers tend to sweep back and have points extending from the main beam. Mule Deer have antlers that tend upwards and extra points form in forks from the main fork. White-tailed Deer have antlers that sweep out and forward and points extend from the main beam. See diagram below....
Below is the Puzzle that needs to be solved.....Good Luck!!!!. Individual images are also available in the gallery....
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.
Congrats to Bayou Bushwackers on the FTF!!!