Ontogeny of personality in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Personality is often described as individual differences that are consistent across time and context. Numerous traits are often used to characterize personality, such as sociability, aggressiveness, exploration, boldness and neophobia. The existence of personality in the animal kingdom is not yet admitted by the entire research community, and relatively few studies have investigated the ontogeny of personality. This longitudinal study explored if roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) exhibited consistent individual differences (personality) in a neophobic situation, and if said personality evolved throughout the years (fawn to adulthood). 1/ We first hypothesized that roe deer would indeed exhibit consistent individual differences and confirm the existence of personality in this species. 2/ Secondly, we hypothesized that personality would stay consistent across time (both fawns and adults would show unique personality profiles). The findings of our longitudinal study of the existence and ontogeny of personality in roe deer exposed to a novel object context show a time consistency of distinct behavioral profiles. This experiment is part of a larger ongoing project as multiple cohorts are being tested at 1 and 3 years old both in novel object and isolation context at the CEFS. Roe deer behavior is thus being studied in different contexts and at different life stages which could bring us an answer on the existence and ontogeny of personality in this species.