A Review of the Social Behavior of Feral and Wild Sheep and Goats

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Abstract
Feral sheep (Ovis) and goat (Capra) populations are found scattered throughout the world. Although generally separable by their morphology and ecology, the social behavior of feral sheep and goats is very similar. It also appears to be little changed from related wild species. Social organization is quite variable, particularly group size and composition, varying more among populations than between the genera. Although definite dominance hierarchies develop among males, they are weak or absent among female feral and wild sheep. Maternal carp is similar among species, although the neonate goat may sometimes show a brief hiding phase. Suckling rates are high and durations short, but the process of weaning is poorly understood. Fighting behavior of sheep and goats is closely related to their horn structure, as is skull morphology. Horns are used both for overt fighting and as indicators of relative social rank. Many of the behavior patterns used by dominant male sheep and goats to subordinates in agonistic interactions are the same as those used by males courting estrous females. One of the major differences between feral sheep and goats is in their use of scent. Unlike sheep, male goats exhibit urine marking, possibly related to advertising a male's conditions, and to synchronizing estrus among females. Males court females with a series of increasing contact patterns culminating in copulation. Females may exert some choice in selecting a mare based on his courtship performance and social status. Copyright © 1984. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1984 by American Society of Animal Science.

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