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Desert Bighorn Sheep 6 - Seasonal Water Needs In the winter, when green grasses are available, bighorn do not need to drink. However, in the hot summer months, they need to visit waterholes at least every three days. Ewes with nursing lambs need to drink nearly everyday. They can tolerate a reduced body weight of up to 20% as a result of water loss. They often look emaciated when arriving to drink. Within minutes they can replenish the lost water and appear trim and strong. The capacity to drink quickly and replenish lost water is most likely an adaptation to increased predation around water sources. Mountain lions, will wait in the narrow rocky canyons that bighorn use to access water holes and streams. < previous - next > |
Bighorn Ewe at water