Abstract
Abstract We hypothesized that, if agave (Agave) were used by desert ungulates as a source of moisture, they would be used more during drought than during periods with average or above-average rainfall. From 2004–2012, we counted the number of stalks of agave used by Nelson's bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) in 10.3 ha in Deep Canyon, Santa Rosa Mountains, California. During years of average or above-average rainfall, bighorn sheep consumed <3% of available stalks of agave. During years with rainfall below average, bighorn sheep consumed from 20–53% of available stalks of agave, thus supporting our hypothesis.
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