Habitat use and the social structure of a herd of Heck cattle in the Oostvaardersplassen

This study describes the patterns of habitat use, vegetation type selection and activity budgets of bulls and cows from a population of free ranging Heck cattle, during the spring of 1992 in the Oostvaardersplassen. Bulls form bullgroups that confine themselves to certain areas of the study area, while cows, who form a herd with subadults and calves, roam throughout the area. Forage samples of six vegetation types that occur in the study area were related to the different requirements of bulls and cows with regard to crude protein and digestible organic matter. These do not fall below maintenance demands to both sexes.