As the season advances
the vegetation increases and the fawn begins to eat grass. When
the summer heat commences the little streams begin to dry up, and
the animal once more has difficulty in supporting life because of
the enervating heat, the effect of drought on the vegetation, and
the distance which has to be traveled to get water; therefore,
fully ten months in each year the deer has all he can do to live
without extra exertion incident to rutting. Soon after the autumn
rains commence vegetation becomes more luxurious, the antlers of
the male and new suits of hair for both are fully grown, heat of
the summer is gone, food and drink are plentiful everywhere, the
fawns are weaned, and both sexes are in the very finest
condition. Then, and then only, in the whole year, comes the rut,
which, to them as to most other animals, means an unwonted amount
of physical exercise besides the everyday runs for life from
their natural enemies, and an unusual amount of energy is used
up. If a doe dislikes the attention of a special buck, miles of
racing result. If jealous males meet, furious battles take place.
The strain on both sexes could not possibly be endured at any
other season of the year. With approach of cold weather, climatic
deprivations and winter dangers commence and rut closes. In all
wild animals, rut occurs only when the climatic and other
conditions favor the highest physical development.
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