“…Most studies on mammals assessed histological processes and provided descriptive analyses of hair follicle growth (Blix et al, ; Cuyler & Øritsland; Nixon, Gurnseyb, Betteridgec, Mitchellc, & Welchc, ). Some studies, however, also investigated the factors affecting molt timing, such as age class, reproductive status (Cowan & Raddi, ; Fraser, Longstaffe, & Fenton, ; Zimova et al, ), individual condition, or access to food resources (Heydon, Milne, Brinklow, & Loudon, ; Macdonald & Stewart, ). In addition, photoperiod has been found to influence mammalian molt processes (Lynch, ; Nixon, Ashby, Saywell, & Pearson, ), especially in high‐latitude environments (Ling, ).…”