What structure characterizes the social organization of does outside the rut?
Answer
Small family groups including current and previous year's female offspring.
The social structure of whitetail deer is dynamic, largely dictated by the time of year and the reproductive cycle, with the rut serving as the major disrupting event. Outside of the breeding season, the social organization is generally described as matriarchal. Does typically establish and maintain small, cohesive family units. These groups usually consist of the mother doe, her fawns born in the current year, and often, her yearling female offspring from the previous year, forming a tight-knit, multi-generational kinship structure.
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