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1999, Number 2

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Vet Mex 1999; 30 (2)

Morphometrics, growth and weight gain patterns in White-Tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in captivity in Mexico

Weber M, Hidalgo R

Language: English/Spanish
References: 29
Page: 183-188
PDF size: 111.67 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Growth and weight gain patterns were studied in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (n = 35) in Durango and Toluca, Mexico from 1989 to 1994. Fawns weighed an average of 2.3 kg at birth (ee = 0.873, n = 14). Weight gain was 225.5 (ee = 25.7, n = 4) gr/day and 107.0 (ee = 38.4, n = 7) gr/day for naturally reared and bottle-reared fawns, respectively. The average lactation period was 112.2 and 88.5 days, and the average weaning weight was 14.5 and 12.6 kg for naturally reared and bottle-reared fawns, respectively. Adult males (n = 10) tended to grow continuously until five years old, and females (n = 11) stopped growing at three years old, very much likely as a consequence of breeding. Effect of nutrition, environment and habitat primary productivity are discussed as factors controlling growth in deer. Growth patterns in white-tailed deer in Mexico are similar to those reported for this species in the USA and Canada, for the Cervidae, and for both wild and domestic ungulates elsewhere.


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