Effects of Birth Date and Body Mass at Birth on Adult Body Mass of Male White-Tailed Deer

Abstract

We examined relationships of birth date and body mass at birth with body mass at mature ages (≥1.5 years) of captive, male white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Birth date was not associated with body mass at birth ( P = 0.862) and had no effect on body mass at the 1.5-, 2.0-, and 2.5-year age classes ( P ≥ 0.379). Males with greater body mass at birth added more body mass between birth and the 1.5-year age class ( P < 0.001) and had greater body mass at the 1.5-, 2.0-, and 2.5-year age classes ( P < 0.001). Body mass of male white-tailed deer at birth may influence body mass at mature ages.