Here’s another one from the Rocky Mountain region, a bighorn ram. Winter tends to be the best time to see the rams as they leave their bachelor herds and come down from higher elevations to vie for females. They also come down seeking easier grass to uncover beneath the heavy snow. This headshot was taken in Yellowstone National Park. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 500, f/4 at 1/1250th of a second.
Horns definitely get damaged while fighting and it is possible to lose part of a horn, but they’re not like antlers, which get shed each year. Cervids (elk, moose, deer, etc) have antlers and bovids (sheep, cows, goats, bison) have horns. If part of a horn is lost, it’s lost for good. Antlers, on the other hand, are dropped each year and then a new set grows back the next year. This guy has lost a bit of the tip of his horn but it’s covered in snow. Rams use their horns to fight other rams with the winner getting the right to mate. So in that way, yes, the horns are an attraction of sorts.
A wonderful closeup! It took us many trips out west before we finally got to see some of these bighorns. They seem to have an almost regal air about them, a kind of “above it all” attitude (and they frequently are above it all. Love the bits of snow clinging to him.
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
Here’s another one from the Rocky Mountain region, a bighorn ram. Winter tends to be the best time to see the rams as they leave their bachelor herds and come down from higher elevations to vie for females. They also come down seeking easier grass to uncover beneath the heavy snow. This headshot was taken in Yellowstone National Park. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 500, f/4 at 1/1250th of a second.
Do the horns ever fall off in their fights? Does the length of the horn indicate age of the ram? Is the horn an attraction to the female?
Horns definitely get damaged while fighting and it is possible to lose part of a horn, but they’re not like antlers, which get shed each year. Cervids (elk, moose, deer, etc) have antlers and bovids (sheep, cows, goats, bison) have horns. If part of a horn is lost, it’s lost for good. Antlers, on the other hand, are dropped each year and then a new set grows back the next year. This guy has lost a bit of the tip of his horn but it’s covered in snow. Rams use their horns to fight other rams with the winner getting the right to mate. So in that way, yes, the horns are an attraction of sorts.
Oh, my – that is swell! The eye is perfectly framed by the horn.
great pic. to day. ) a great eye shot.
A wonderful closeup! It took us many trips out west before we finally got to see some of these bighorns. They seem to have an almost regal air about them, a kind of “above it all” attitude (and they frequently are above it all. Love the bits of snow clinging to him.