Energy Expenditures for Locomotion by Mule Deer and Elk

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Energy expenditures for several activities were measured using indirect calorimetry with 5 mule deer (O. hemionus) and 8 elk (C. elaphus nelsoni). The average energetic increment of standing over lying was 25%. Net energy costs (kcal per kg per km) of horizontal locomotion without snow decreased as a function of increasing body weight. The average cost per kilogram for each vertical meter climbed on a 14.3.degree. incline was 5.9 kcal. Efficiency of upslope locomotion averaged 40-45% for the 2 spp.; downslope efficiency decreased with increasing body size. Energy expenditures for locomotion in snow increased curvilinearly as a function of snow depth and density. To further understand the energetics of locomotion in snow, foot loading and leg length were measured. Management implications, based on the cost of locomotion for mule deer and elk when disturbed by winter recreationists and when traversing the slash deposition of logging operations are discussed.

This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit: