EDMONTON, Alberta, May 31 (UPI) -- Canadian scientists have found female mule deer, including those who aren't mothers, respond to the recorded distress calls of fawns.
The study of mule and whitetail deer conducted by researchers from the University of Alberta and the University of Lethbridge showed both species responded to the recorded distress calls of fawns.
Researchers said mule deer mothers responded to both whitetail and mule deer calls, even when their own fawn stood next to them. But whitetail mothers responded only to their own species' call, and only when they could not see their own fawn.
"The fact that mule deer ran to the speaker when their own fawn was standing next to them safe and sound revealed they do not help other fawns because they mistake them for their own," said lead author Susan Lingle.
"It was surprising just how indiscriminate mule deer females were," she added. "For example, the females that weren't even mothers also ran to the speakers to help fawns. That would not be expected if females were simply trying to protect their own fawns."
The study's results appear in the journal Animal Behavior.
