Sex differences in time budgeting in roe deer during the rut

Abstract

In a forest population of roe deer Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758) studied in eastern Poland during the rut, does spent a greater proportion of time feeding and selecting food than bucks, during the dawn and dusk periods of grazing on meadows at the forest boundary. Bucks spent a greater proportion of time in movement (walking and running) and in orientation. These differences occurred at 3 of 4 study sites, and were unaffected by occurrence of social interactions. Although these findings contradict previous data they are predictable on the basis of optimal resource utilization, female reproductive success being determined by access to food, male reproductive success by access to mates.