Abstract
Evidence is presented that female desert bighorn sheep (O. canadensis nelsoni and O. c. cremnobates ) living in natural environments may attain sexual maturity as early as 1-2 yr of age. Additional data concerning the relationships between growing season precipitation and lamb/ewe ratios are given for 4 populations of O. dalli and 19 populations of O. canadensis. A significant positive correlation was detected in only 2 populations, each from southwestern [USA] deserts. Several reasons for early sexual maturation in female desert sheep are provided.

This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit: