The Social Organization of Feral Ovis aries Ram Groups in the Pre‐rut Period

Abstract

AbstractPrimates are described as having peculiarly complex social behaviour when compared with other mammals, but the methods and expectations of primatologists also differ from those of other mammalogists, confounding the comparison. A very simple social organization has been described for sheep (Ovis aries). Rams of a long‐established feral flock were observed during the pre‐rut period of three successive years, and their communicative behaviour was described and quantified using individual‐focussed methods commonly applied to primates. Rams were found to form long term relationships and their pattern of interaction was partly determined by these as well as by age and rank. Correlation between the effects of age and rank varied with current demography. There was no correlation between rank and horn size. Rams intervened on behalf of weaker colleagues and supported each other in fights. They showed more affiliative behaviour and associated more closely than did ewes. While the leader of the ewe flock was nearly always the oldest ewe present, leadership of ram flocks was less restricted; when together, rams always followed the ewe flock. Comparison is drawn between monkey and sheep social behaviour, and it is concluded that perceived differences are partly due to differences in the expectations and methods of their respective students.