Fallow deer (Dama dama) winter defecation rate in a Mediterannean area

Abstract

This study investigated the winter daily defecation rate (DDR) of fallow deer in a Mediterranean area, and reviewed the existing literature on the defecation rate of this species. A mean number of 26.5 pellet groups deer-1 day-1 was found in this study. This value was similar to that found in studies carried out in winter in the U.K. and Germany, suggesting that different diets and habitats do not affect fallow deer DDR.