Rump patch of roe deer already visible
Image from webcam by Airras, LK forum
Translation Liis
Four roe deer on the observation ground
Roe deer Metskits or kaber Capreolus capreolus
The colourful autumn lasts. Roe deer have started changing their fur coat but depending on the weather hairs are added into the coat until Christmas (faces including ears are already grey; where the winter fur begins shows well in Arne’s lower photo). The light rump mirror is quite visible too.
The length of the coarse outer hairs may in mid-winter be more than 5 centimetres – the fur hairs are like little tubes and brittle. To preserve the body temperature such hollow hairs suit our humid and changeable climate very well.
Gradually the roe deer gather in groups. The does end the suckling of this year’s kids, during the final month the suckling was more of a social interaction than feeding.
From October the bucks lose their ”pride” – the dropping of antlers has started and lasts until December. Some young individuals may already have the first pencil-like stick antlers.
Roe deer
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