EFFECT OF EWE AGE AND HIGH POPULATION-DENSITY ON THE EARLY NURSING BEHAVIOR OF MOUFLON

The population of mouflons (Ovis musimon) inhabiting the Kerguelen arc hipelago shows marked density fluctuations with periodic winter die-of fs. Compared with two European populations, parental care of Kerguelen mouflon females is low at peak population density, when resources are depleted. Mean suckle duration did not differ markedly between Kergue len and European ewes. In contrast, Kerguelen mothers' suckling freque ncy was lower, and the overall suckling time was also reduced. In the Kerguelen population females rejected most suckling attempts and ended more than 90% of suckling bouts even within the first few days of a l amb's life. Parental care decreased as ewe age increased, with a decli ne in both suckling frequency and total suckle duration. As a result, lambs of old females devoted much of their time budget to grazing.