Notice that the very back point on this Mule Deer's antlers is split. This is a genetic trait which is becoming more and more common because hunters would rather shoot deer with perfect antlers. This is an example of:

1. why hunting deer is a bad idea.

   No. Actually, deer hunting is very important. Because we have killed off many of their natural predators, if hunters did not control their population, large numbers of them would starve to death.

2. an adaptation that improves an organism's chance for survival.

   Yes. Because hunters are less likely to shoot it, this deer is more likely to survive long enough to reproduce, passing this trait on to its offspring.

3. an acquired trait.

   No. This is a genetic trait, not an acquired trait.

4. why antlers are more useful than horns.

   No. Antlers and horns serve different functions, but both are useful to the animal that has them.

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