Ambient temperature effects on physiological traits of white-tailed deer

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Abstract
Six adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus borealis) were exposed to 165 periods of 12 consecutive hours of controlled constant ambient temperature in an indirect respiration calorimeter. Temperatures among periods varied from 38 to 0 (summer) or to −20C (fall, winter, spring). Traits measured were energy expenditure (metabolic rate), proportion of time spent standing, heart rate, and body temperature, the latter two using telemetry. The deer used body posture extensively as a means of maintaining body energy equilibrium. Energy expenditure was increased at low ambient temperature to combat cold and to maintain relatively constant body temperature. Changes in heart rate paralleled changes in energy expenditure. In a limited number of comparisons, slight wind chill was combatted through behavioral means with no effect on energy expenditure. The reaction of deer to varying ambient temperatures was not the same in all seasons of the year.

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