Maternal Defensive Behavior in Bighorn Sheep
Berger J. 1978. Maternal Defensive Behavior in Bighorn Sheep. Journal of Mammalogy. 59(3):620-621
Predation on bighorn (Ovis canadensis) and Dall (O. dalli) sheep by wolves, coyotes, and golden eagles has been documented (Geist, 1971; Kennedy, 1948; McQuivey, 1976; Murie, 1944); however, defensive ploys also have been reported. Shank (1977) described the behavior of four rams that grouped together for protection from coyotes and Hornocker (1969) reported his observations on the defensive behavior of three ewes. Geist (1971) suggested that ewes offer little protection to lambs older than about 2-weeks of age. In this paper I describe two instances on material defensive behavior in bighorn sheep.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Berger, Joel
- Units
- DEVA , SODN
- Keywords
- Absence (Biodiversity), Artiodactyla (Even-Toed Ungulates), Bovidae (Bovids), inclusive fitness, Mammalia (Mammals), Observations, Ovis canadensis (Bighorn Sheep), Presence (Biodiversity), Taxa Links To Datasets, Taxa Links To References