rut (redirected from Rut (disambiguation))

rut

the period of increased sexual activity occurring in the autumn (fall) in some male mammals, especially deer and elephants. It is accompanied by increased testicular activity, especially spermatogenesis, and in deer by shedding of the antlers and a marked increase in vocalizing and aggression. The vocalizing is a distinctive deep roar known as 'the rut'. The aggressive actions have the effect of keeping attending females close and competing males at a distance.