Growth Pattern and Turnover of Carbon and Nitrogen Measured by Stable Isotope Ratios in the Hair of Sika Deer (Cervus Nippon)

This study investigated the growth pattern and dietary information reflected in the winter coat hair of captive sika deer (Cervus nippon) using stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. The research found that the winter coat grows from early September to early November, with the shoulder and back hair growing at a constant rate during this period. The stable isotope values in the hair accurately reflected the deer's diet during growth, although there was a time lag observed in the hip hair. The study concluded that shoulder guard hair is most suitable for dietary analysis in sika deer, providing valuable insights for future analyses of wild deer hair samples.