Alternative use of space strategies of female roe deer (capreolus capreolus) in a mountainous habitat

Abstract

The spacing behaviour of ten roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) females was studied from March 1997 until February 1998 in the Casentinesi Forest National Park, Italy. The study area is mountainous with a high percentage of forest cover (95%). Mean temperature was 8° C and snowfall occurred in autumn and winter. Data were collected with radio-tracking techniques and annual, bimonthly and monthly home ranges were analysed. The results indicated two different spacing behaviours: stationary and roaming. Roaming females had larger home ranges than stationary ones. Only during the birth period, in May-June, were home ranges similar for both groups of females, while the winter period showed great differences. Habitat quality and social factors seemed to influence the ranging behaviour of females in this mountainous habitat in the course of the year. © 2001 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.