Bighorn sheep ram checking out the ladies
A bighorn ram checks out the ewes in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Ah, yes, love is in the air this time of year for many ungulates, including bighorn sheep. The males are keen on keeping watch on the females and checking to see which ones might be ready for a bit of “action.”

Here, one big fellow flares his nostrils and sniffs a group of ewes, trying to determine if any are in estrus.

With a successful mating, there is a six-month gestation and the ewes will give birth in May to one lamb. On rare occasions, they have two.

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