Development of food habits in roe-deer

Development of food habits was examined from 1st to 90th day of life of these animals by means of direct observations of 5 tame feeding fawns. During the studies the roe-deer lived within an enclosure in a mixed forest. A description is given of the quantitative and species composition of the fawns' diet at different ages. The animals were observed to crop and swallow plant food for the first time on the 5th day of life. As the animals' age increases the number of plant species eaten increases, as does also the amount of food consumed during one activity period, counted between two resting periods, and the average amount of food consumed during 5 minutes activity. The duration of the activity period does not, however, increase.