Soil ingestion by mule deer in northcentral Colorado

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Range Manage.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3897389· OSTI ID:5376225

Arthur, III, W J; Alldredge, A W

soil ingestion rates calcuated from titanium concentrations in feces from mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) feeding in a grass-land-shrub community in northcentral Colorado in g/day (anti x +- SD) were: spring, 29.6 +- 20.1; summer, 7.7 +- 10.2; fall, 8.8 +- 6.5; and winter 18.3 +- 10.8. Based on observations of feeding tame deer, intake in winter appeared to be primarily due to direct soil ingestion from pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) mounds, roads, and other areas of exposed soil. The greatest intake during spring was likely due to indirect consumption of soil adhering to ingested vegetation. Soils from locations where tame deer had consumed soil were analyzed for trace elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, K, Na, and Zn) and compared to areas where no soil intake was observed. No significant differences (..cap alpha.. = 0.05) in mean levels of these elements was detected between areas. Most likely, deer at Rocky Flats were not selecting soils based strictly on mineral content, but instead were consuming soil indiscriminately. Ingested soil may provide a source of trace elements as well as a mode of entry for environmental pollutants.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls
• OSTI ID: 5376225
• Journal Information: J. Range Manage.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Range Manage.; (United States) Vol. 32:1; ISSN JRMGA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550200 -- Biochemistry
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
DEER
DIET
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
FECES
INGESTION
INTAKE
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
METALS
POLLUTION
RUMINANTS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOILS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
TITANIUM
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
WASTES