Seasonal variation of home range domaine vital and habitat selection of the Roe Deer in a Mediterranean habitat: The case of adult female and male.

Radiotracking of two roe deer Capreolus capreolus (1 female, 1 male) in a M editerranean habitat (Matorrals) with a detailed analysis of the vegetation showed that within their annual home range the deers selected particular h abitat types, according to the season. The northern slope was preferred by both animals. Comparatively to female, male had a larger annual home range (150 ha vs. 130 ha), composed of more widely scattered sites of preferred u se in more seasonal vs variable habitat types. Habitat selection in differe nt seasons was affected by several factors: i) in all seasons, abundance of Rubus ulmifolius and Rosa ssp., ii) strong winds, especially in winter, th at caused the male to move to southern slope, iii) disturbance by hunting d ogs in autumn that forced deers into one or two refuge zones, iv) aspect of deer biology, such as territory marking by the male and giving birth by th e female, which modified not only behaviour but also use of space.