The Seasonal Molt of the Siberian Roe Deer: Triggered by Decreasing Daylight Hours
Der Übergang des Sibirischen Rehs vom rötlichen Sommerfell zum graubraunen Winterfell wird durch die Abnahme der Tageslichtstunden ausgelöst. Dieser Fellwechsel dient der natürlichen Tarnung in schneebedeckten Umgebungen. Die Tiere behalten trotz dieser Veränderung ein ruhiges Fress- und Wachsamkeitsverhalten bei.
The seasonal molt of the Siberian roe deer is triggered not by the first snowfall, but by the decreasing length of daylight. This natural reaction is a precise survival trait that ensures the animal's camouflage throughout the year. Specifically, the deer changes from its summer, reddish coat to a thick, grayish-brown winter coat. This color change is crucial because it provides the animal with natural camouflage in snowy conditions. Despite this profound physical transformation, the deer exhibits calm behavior, continuing to feed while remaining vigilant.