Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) Fact Sheet: Behavior & Ecology

• Largely determined by availability of food and water (rain dependent)
• Predominantly diurnal but also may be active on moonlit nights
• Alternate between feeding and rest-rumination bouts
• Feeding bouts generally occur at dusk and dawn
• Some areas used repeatedly as bedding sites by groups

• Matrilineal (based on female associations)
• Linear dominance orders among ewes
• Gregarious and exhibit site fidelity to natal home range. "Home range groups" or "ewe groups" tend to be related females and lambs.
• Young learn from older sheep their home range, escape terrain, water sources and lambing habitat. Familiarity with range is an advantage in evading predators.
• Rams are not as tied to a specific group; tend to range, moving between "ewe groups"
• Rams with larger horns and body size dominate both males and females

Displays

• Male horn size is a symbol of rank.
• Head-to-head combat between rams may occur during mating season.

Vocalization

• During the rut, bighorn rams will snort loudly. The lambs bleat, and the ewes respond with a guttural "ba."
• Adult males utter a growl or gutteral

Olfaction/Scent Marking

• Scent mark spread by rubbing eye glands on trees and rocks

• “Clashing” of rams’ horns during rutting season to determine / maintain rank

Play

• Playing between lambs is highest during spring when food is available and lambs are young
• Threat jumps, clashes, and mounting are the most frequent social patterns used by lambs associated as play

Speed

• Can move over level ground at 30 mph and up mountain slopes at 15 mph

(Bighorn Institute website, 2002; USFW, 2000)

• Natural predators include: mountain lions, wolves, bobcats, coyotes and golden eagles (and humans)
• Non-native competitors include: cattle, horses, domestic goats and humans
• Disease caused by domestic livestock
• Mule deer are the primary competitor for resources
• Known to become alarmed and startled by a flock birds or other sudden animal movements
• Urbanization and human disturbance (habitat fragmentation, recreation use, development)

Bighorn sheep nimbly traverse jagged, rocky areas to avoid predators and seek shelter.

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Hansen (1980)
Shackleton (1985)
USFWS (2000)
Valdez (1999)