Comparing the foraging behaviour of red and fallow deer in Mediterranean oak woodlands

Vishnupriya Santhosh 2023. "Comparing the foraging behaviour of red and fallow deer in Mediterranean oak woodlands". Master Thesis. The University of Lisbon.

Supervisor:

Prof. Miguel Bugalho

Summary:

This study focuses on the foraging behaviour of red deer and fallow deer in a Mediterranean montado system, where the interaction of climate, flora, and animal behaviour determines deer eating patterns. Red and fallow deer, which coexist in several montado ecosystems, may differ in their foraging behaviour responses to seasonal constraints. We try to contribute to filling this knowledge gap, by comparing the foraging behaviour of sympatric red and fallow deer using a camera trap photography methodological approach. The results show that both red and fallow deer exhibit reduced grazing in spring compared to winter, contrary to expectations of more grazing during spring. A dry year's lack of vegetation in the herbage layer and high air temperatures may have impacted deer forage behaviour. According to photographic records, male and female grazing patterns of both red and fallow deer changed from winter to spring. Male red deer have a higher propensity for browsing on the tree canopy than fallow deer, which may be related to their larger size. Juveniles of either red or fallow deer were rarely recorded browsing, which suggests that they prefer digestible grasses in their diets. Most deer feeding sightings were recorded by the camera between the range of 10- 15 ºC in winter and 15- 20 ºC in spring. The seasonal change in group sizes is highlighted by group behaviour analysis. Winter groups of red deer and fallow deer tend to be larger due to lower atmospheric temperature. There was no statistically significant difference in red deer group sizes between winter and spring, indicating that complex relationships may have influenced their social interactions. This study contributes to a more thorough knowledge of these species’ adaptive strategies in response to changing environmental conditions by addressing the intricacies of ecological relationships.