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Foraging behaviour and sexual segregation in bighorn sheep
1Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke
Animal Behaviour
|December 16, 1998
Summary
Sexual dimorphism in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) drives segregation. Differing nutritional needs and activity patterns between males and females prevent synchronized behavior, leading to separate nursery and bachelor groups.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Zoology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) exhibit sexual dimorphism and form segregated groups.
- Previous hypotheses for sexual segregation include energy needs, predation risk, and social preferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if differing nutritional demands, due to sexual dimorphism in body size, lead to different movement patterns and time budgets in bighorn sheep.
- To determine if differing ruminating/foraging schedules cause sexual segregation by preventing synchronized activities.
Main Methods:
- Focal-animal observations of marked bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) for 8-14 hours.
- Recorded time spent lying, grazing, or walking; noted group locations and foraging steps per minute.
Main Results:
- Females spent more time foraging and walking with longer bouts than males.
- Males spent more time lying than females.
- Female groups moved significantly farther than male groups.
Conclusions:
- Sexual differences in time budgets and movement patterns create challenges for maintaining mixed-sex groups.
- These behavioral differences are a key factor contributing to sexual segregation in bighorn sheep.