Winter digestive strategy of a concentrate selector in Norway: the European roe deer

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Abstract
Seasonal variations in gut contents were measured in 63 adult roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) collected in the southeastern part of Norway. Gut contents were 50% greater in animals collected in winter than summer. This resulted from an increase in the contents of the rumeno-reticulum and, to some extent, the distal fermentation chamber (caecum and proximal colon). The winter digestive strategy of the roe deer was in accordance with the optimal digestion theory, i.e., given gut capacity as a limiting factor, the digestive system should hold more, allowing a longer retention time and more complete digestion of the less nutritious winter diet. This seasonal digestive adaptation in the roe deer underlines the importance of a flexible nutritional strategy in a highly seasonal environment for winter survival in concentrate selectors.

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