Early mother–young interactions in California bighorn sheep, Ovis Canadensis californiana

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Abstract
All except 2 of 22 pregnant females isolated themselves from conspecifics to give birth. Isolation is probably an antipredator strategy, although isolation in the 1st day after birth may also help the development of the mother–young bond. Even after they rejoined the herd, the mother and her lamb stayed close together until the lamb was 4 days old when mother–young distances increased sharply, only to decrease again when the lamb began to graze for short periods next to its mother. Neonates were very active, particularly playing, during the 1st day of life. It is suggested that this high level of activity may help develop the motor skills necessary for "follower" young born in steep terrain. Synchrony of activities between a female and her lamb was high when she rested, but when she grazed, her lamb could be engaged in one of many different activities. Suckling behaviour during active and bedding periods differed significantly, with the longest mean suckle durations occurring during or immediately after rest periods. These long suckles were thought to be primarily nutritional, whereas the short, lamb-terminated suckles during active periods were believed to strengthen the mother–young bond rather than to provide milk.

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