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Running away while keeping the tail down is the first reaction of a frightened mule deer [Odocoileus hemionus]. One of the functions of the tail is communication among deer. Thus a mule deer with the tail kept down is communicating to other mule deer alarm, danger, escape, hide.

A mule deer's tail is black-tipped. So when fleeing, the deer gives predators the impression of an escaping bull's-eye, because of the whiteness of the rump just above and to each side of the black-tipped tail.

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15y ago

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