Why bighorn sheep engage in brutal combat for a two-day mating window
In short: In the high-altitude world of mountain ranges, male bighorn sheep face a high-stakes competition. Because females are fertile for only two days each year, rams must battle for the right to mate, determining the future of their lineage in a harsh, vertical environment.
Mountain ranges are critical to global life, covering 25 percent of the Earth's surface and supporting 40 percent of the human population. Despite their importance, these peaks remain a largely hidden realm to most people.
The 2017 documentary 'Mountains: Life Above The Clouds' explores these iconic landscapes, tracing the journey from foothills to summits. The intense physical conflict between bighorn rams serves as a prime example of the dramatic, rare natural history found in these soaring, inaccessible environments.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Intense Bighorn Sheep Battle | Mountains: Life Above The Clouds | BBC Earth
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