Interspecific Aggressions between Crested Porcupines and Roe Deer

摘要

Behavioral interspecific interference species is well-documented only amongst carnivore mammals, whereas being rare for ungulates and rodents. We report data on interactions between roe deer and crested porcupine at feeding sites. Aggressions by crested porcupines toward roe deer, often through chasing and more rarely through biting and attacking, were noted in about 16% of observations. In the remaining 84% of observations, roe deer and porcupines feed within the same feeding site, without interacting. Aggressions occurred mostly in warm months, when interspecific competition for food between these species is suggested to be the highest.