Comparison of Bamboo Leaves Utilization by Sika Deer Between Higher and Lower Altitude Areas in Suzuka Mountains, Central Japan

Abstract

Ratio of bamboo leaves utilization by sika deer (Cervus nippon) was compared between higher and lower altitude areas in Suzuka mountains, central Japan. In higher altitude, ten samples of the feces were collected from early January to late September, and in lower altitude, eight samples were collected from late January to early October. These samples were analyzed by point-frame method. In both areas, bamboo leaves were composed of higher proportion than other food categories. This result shows importance of bamboo leaves for sika deer food habits. From late March to middle June, ratios of bamboo leaves were similar between higher and lower altitude area. But other periods of year, the ratio in higher area was higher than those of lower. Since bamboo leaves browse from spring to early summer, those of nutrient qualities will be higher, in result, sika deer were eager to use them in both area. Meanwhile, since quality of bamboo leaves decline in other periods of year, deer were thought to switch to other food, and since availabilities of other foods are larger in lower altitude area, the ratio of bamboo leaves might to be declined even further.