SIBLING RELATIONS IN YOUNG WHITE-TAILED DEER FAWNS ODOCOILEUS-VIRGINIANUS

Between 1986 and 1987 we monitored association frequencies and distanc es of five young white-tailed deer siblings Odocoileus virginianus at the National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center (CRC), Front Royal , Virginia, to determine their development in relation to their suscep tibility to predation. Twin fawns were separated by their mother withi n the first few hours following parturition and were found isolated du ring the first three to four weeks. Subsequently, the isolation period was terminated by the mother, and twins were always guided to a commu nal bedding site. This was indicated by an increase in frequency of as sociation and a decrease in distances between siblings. The results ar e discussed as consequences of selective adaptations to predation.