 During this time males will stop feeding to defend their ruts from subordinate males.Males defending this territory will often lose an average of 17% of their body weight, and the liver will exhibit steatosis which is reversible.Throughout breeding seasons, the male may obtain the same rut, in some cases, ruts can be held by more than one individual, some possibilities for this include high population density and less rut space, or more suitable habitats which can be shared.