%0 Journal Article
%T The Effects of Captivity on Diet and Lifespan in White-Tailed Deer (<em>Odocoileus virginianus</em>) | Insight Medical Publishing
%A Gumkowski E
%A Klemz M
%A Schipansky AK
%A Wilks S
%J Journal of Animal Research and Nutrition
%D 2018
%R 10.21767/2572-5459.100048
%X White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) born and raised in captivity live, on average, three times longer than wild populations. Raising white-tailed deer in captivity brings about significant changes to their diet. Nutrition has been shown to play an important role in survival and reproduction of white-tailed deer. This study seeks to determine the effects of captivity on diet and health in white-tailed deer and how this affects their lifespan. Fecal samples from captive and wild white-tailed deer populations were collected, in northern Michigan, and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and stable isotope analysis. The study results suggest that captive white-tailed deer consume significantly different diets and nutrients than wild populations, based on the stable isotope and principal component analysis.
%U http://animalnutrition.imedpub.com/the-effects-of-captivity-on-diet-and-lifespan-in-whitetailed-deer-odocoileusvirginianus.php?aid=23297