A must-have addition for any nature or animal lover in your family!
The sight of a magnificent mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
foraging by the roadside or in a nearby meadow provides a
memorable encounter for any nature and animal lover. Named for
its long ears that resemble those of a mule, the mule deer is a
creature of great beauty and majestic stature. With this
breathtaking silver coin, the Royal Canadian Mint celebrates a
remarkable animal whose presence only adds to the remarkable
beauty found in Canada’s great outdoors.
The predominant deer species throughout western Canada and
southern portions of the Yukon, the mule deer roams the
mountains, forests and grasslands in search of the grasses,
herbs, foliage, mushrooms and lichen that make up its plant-
based diet. In the winter, old-growth forests and shrubland provide
shelter for groups of mule deer; in the summer, the deer often opt
to move to higher elevations where they can forage for new
growth.
A must-have addition for any nature or animal lover in your family!
Special features:
• A breathtaking mix of traditional engraving, stunning high-
definition color, frosted elements and an immaculate proof finish.
• By using a rich color over the engraved surface, the mule deer
and their surroundings are brought to life with added depth and
definition in an already stunning design.
• Beautifully designed by Canadian artist Trevor Tennant, this
Canadian wildlife-inspired coin is a must-have addition for any
nature or animal lover in your family.
About the Design:
The reverse image by Canadian artist Trevor Tennant recreates
the breathtaking colors of an autumn morning in one of western
Canada’s many forests. Here, a male and female mule deer have
made their way to lower elevations where they have entered a
foothills meadow to forage. The early morning light creates a blue
cast on the misty scenery, softening the vibrantautumn colors of
the surrounding foliage. In the foreground, the buck stands tall
and attentive to any sound, turning its head to the left, while a doe
follows behind in the background; with the annual rutting season
soon approaching, this male’s swollen neck and large rack already
contribute to its imposing stature, making him the dominant male
within his territory. Adding a beautiful overlay ofcolor to the
engraved design allows the viewer to glimpse the mule deer’s
distinctive characteristics, from the dark tan-colored fur with white
patches on its throat and face, to the long black-rimmed ears and
the buck’s forked antlers.
Did you know…
• The mule deer measures almost a meter high at the shoulder.
• In its prime, an adult male (or buck) may weigh up to 180
kilograms, while a female (doe) weighs between 50 and 75
kilograms.
• The mule deer has been nicknamed “jumper” for its stiff-legged
stride and its jumping reaction when alarmed.
• It is an excellent swimmer—on occasion, a doe will swim to
islands to give birth far from known predators, while others have
been known to swim between islands that are up to 25 kilometres
apart!
• Mule deer have better night vision than humans, but we have
better daytime and color vision. We lose again when it comes to
our sense of smell: the mule deer’s sense of smell may be up to
1,000 times stronger than ours!
• Measuring 2/3 the length of their head, those large ears give the
mule deer acute hearing; they are very sensitive to sounds, yet
they rely more on their senseof smell.
• The mule deer’s tan-colored coat darkens through the seasons,
becoming a grizzled brown by the winter.
• Most does will give birth every year after their second year; twin
fawns are the norm, or occasionally triplets!
• The Mule deer sheds its antlers every year between January
and March; they regrow April through August—in time for the
rutting season in November!
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