Sex differential in use of the physical environment by Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis)

Abstract

The use of the physical environment by Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) rams and ewew on a common winter range in western Alberta showed sex differential in habitat selection and spatial distribution. In winter ram groups occurred on more steep and rocky ground and were found closer to forests than ewe groups. In spring habitat selection of rams did not change. Whereas ewes shifted to lower elevations and onto more steep and rocky habitats. During this segregation between the sexes was ensured through the use of two distinct sections of the available range. These results, when compared with other studies, do not support previous hypotheses explaining sex segregation in Bighorn Sheep. A new hypothesis, that spatial separation maximizes individual fitness by reducing energy-expensive sexual-agonstic behavior in rams at times when reproduction is not possible, is proposed