 |
Dall's Sheep
Behaviour
Usually,
rams that are older than 4 years and ewes remain in separate groups. These older rams often roam in small groups of 3 to 10 individuals, but
sometimes rams are found alone. Ewe
groups tend to be larger and contain young rams, yearlings, and lambs of the
year.
 Within a ram group a
hierarchy exists. The oldest, largest horned individuals are dominant over
younger, smaller horned individuals. These
dominance relationships are maintained by regular social interactions between
rams involving specific behaviour patterns such as shrub horning, horn displays,
foreleg kicks, mounting, body horning, rubbing, nuzzling, and threat jumping,
with occasional butting and clashing. The
dominant ram usually leads a ram group.
A
hierarchy also exists in each ewe group with young rams being dominant. In ewe groups, however, it is usually the oldest ewe that leads the
group. Social interactions in
ewe groups are less frequent that in ram groups, although the same behaviour
patterns, such as horn displays and butting, are seen.
Dall's
sheep are particularly
sensitive to noise, and the sound of aircraft and vehicles can cause them to
scatter and flee in panic. Although
developmental activity in the Mackenzie Mountains has been minimal so far,
future exploration, mines, roads and camps could pose new hazards to Dall's
sheep. This may
result in the separation of lambs from their mothers, over-exertion or injury
causing death or withdrawal from critical range.
|
