Low-light activity in fallow deer shows sex-specific seasonal changes in a managed landscape.

ABSTRACT: Diel activity patterns of large herbivores vary with environmental conditions, human disturbance, and wildlife management, yet population-level analyses may obscure sex- and season-specific patterns. We examined seasonal variation and sexual segregation in diel activity of fallow deer (Dama dama) in a managed coastal dune system in the Netherlands characterised by substantial but temporally variable daytime recreation, absence of large predators, and female-focused culling. Using a camera-trap network (49 sites; 1,490 camera-trap days), we analysed 4,114 sexed detections collected during three seasons (rut, post-rut, and birthing). Diel activity was assessed using a diel niche framework accounting for seasonal variation in light availability, complemented by equinoctially anchored k

SUBMITTER: de Lange A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC13624009 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature