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By early September, like all reindeer across the arctic tundra, Alaska's porcupine herd are entering the mating season.
到了九月初，與北極苔原上所有的馴鹿一樣，格蘭特馴鹿也進入了交配期。
Known as the rut, the actual mating will take place over just a few days to ensure all the calves are bornat the same time next spring.
在整個發情期中，交配活動僅僅會在幾天中出現，以此保證所有的幼鹿都能在第二年舂天的同一時間出生。
At first, the herd must establish the hierarchy.
首先，鹿群必須建立它的等級制度。
Reindeer grow fresh antlers each year, under a layer of fur called velvet.
馴鹿每年都會長出新的鹿角，它被一層叫做鹿茸的絨毛所覆蓋。
When fully grown, the blood supply cuts off and the male shed their velvet in preparation for battle.
當鹿角發肓完全之后，血液的供應就會停止，而公鹿就會褪去它們的鹿茸為戰斗做準備。
They have the largest antlers relative to their body size of any deer species. And size matters.
它們的鹿角與體型相比是所有鹿類中最大的，而這一點很重要。
These battles may turn into a fight to the death.
這種打斗可能會變為一種生死之爭。
This male's antler size and body weight give him a clear advantage.
這頭公鹿的鹿角大小與體重使它具備了明顯的優勢。
The prize, control of up to twenty of the best breeding females and status as the dominant male of the entire herd.
而獎品則是最適于生肓的二十頭母鹿的控制權以及作為整個鹿群中雄性統治者的地位。
By September, the snowy owl chicks are beginning to fledge and they're now left unattended for long periods of time.
到了九月，雪鸮幼鳥的羽翼開始逐漸豐滿，父母也會留下它們很長時間不去照看。
Although armed with talons they've over two centimeters long, until they can fly, they're still vulnerable.
盡管己經具備兩厘米長的爪子，它們在會飛之前還是很脆弱。
Any predators that may have wittingly wander into their nesting territory will have to deal with the adult owls who are watching from on high.
任何可能企圖進入它們的巢穴所在區域的掠食者都不得不面對在高處守望的成年雪鸮。
During nesting season, the snowy owls must defend their nest against predators and are fast and powerful enough to scare off a large gray wolf.
在筑巢季節，雪鸮必須保護它們的巢穴不受掠食者侵犯，它們迅疾有力，足以嚇退壯大的灰狼。
The arctic fox is no match for the owl and the young are safe for now. But in just a few days the owlets will be left entirely alone.
北極狐不是雪鸮的對手，所以幼鳥現在是安全的。不過再過幾天這窩雛鳥就會被徹底地單獨留下。
Before they can fly, the adult owls will abandon the nest completely.
它們還沒到會飛的時候，成年雪鸮就會徹底拋棄鳥巢。
If they're to survive, the young owls will need to learn to fly before winter comes.
若想生存下來，年幼的雪鸮就得在冬季來臨前學會飛行。
