Seasonal variation in body composition of European roe deer

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Abstract
Seasonal variations in whole-body composition of 43 European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) collected in the southeastern part of Norway were examined. Adult deer showed a defined annual cycle in both body weight and body fat reserves. Fat accumulated in September and October, reaching a maximum of 9.2% of the ingesta-free body weight in does and 10.3% in bucks, in late fall (November and December). The depletion phase started in early January and ended in April. No intersexual differences in amplitude or synchrony of body weight or fat cycle were observed. This contrasts with results in other temperate and northern cervids and could be due to differences in life strategy, particularly reproductive effort (midsummer rut, delayed implantation, and mating territories), in European roe deer.

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