Bighorn sheep are seasonal breeders and females typically produce one lamb per year. The mating season, or “rut”, occurs from July through December. During this period, males compete for the opportunity to mate with females, sometimes exhibiting fantastic head butting competitions.

How does bighorn sheep mate?

Females courtship is exhibited by the rubbing their body and horns on the male. Dominant males gain priority over females but subordinate males still attempt to mount estrous females. Mating and lambing seasons of desert species are extended because of unpredictability of rain and forage availability.

Where do bighorn sheep give birth?

Most births occur in the first two weeks of the lambing period. Pregnant ewes of the Rocky Mountains migrate to alpine areas in spring, presumably to give birth in areas safer from predation, but are away from areas with good quality forage.