干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

The removal of an incisiform tooth to determine age in live cervids has generated disagreement among wildlife professionals, but few data are available to resolve whether or not study animals are affected by that technique. We found no effect of tooth removal on body mass, percent body fat, pregnancy rate, or fetal rate among mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) inhabiting a Great Basin winter range. Results from a population of deer in the Sonoran Desert were similar. This information is provided to assist others contemplating tooth removal as a method to determine age in cervids and to help resolve the current controversy.