Changes in life of roe deer

Submitted by Looduskalender EN on Tue, 20.11.2018 - 10:43
Autorid

Photos Arne Ader
English translation Liis

Estonian text  posted 08.11.2018

Metskits

Roe deer

Body

 

Roe deer       Metskits or kaber      Capreolus capreolus

 

The roe deer that we see in November already have their greyish brown winter fur coat with the white rear mirror  on, despite the warm weather. Those who are a little late with the change of fur still look a little darker than the others.

The bucks begin to get rid of the antlers that by now have become unnecessary. With this the behaviour of the bucks towards their species comrades also changes to a more tolerant one. They are no longer so territorial as when species comrades had to be driven off from their territories.

By the end of the month the bucks gather in groups of up to ten individuals (on the feeding grounds the number may  be larger). They make friendly acquaintance with each other because ”winter will not remain in the sky”, and in a bare forest several eye pairs notice danger earlier than when one is moving around on one’s own. It is interesting that in such groups there are no leaders.

We will write about winter food and all else in due time.

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