MATING AND LAMBING PERIODS AS RELATED TO AGE OF FEMALE MOUFLON

Temporal variation in association between male and female mouflon (Ovi s gmelini) during rut, and timing of births were studied in relation t o age of females in the Massif du Caroux-Espinouse (southern France). Mating and lambing periods each lasted 10 weeks; however, most females conceived during the first 6-7 weeks of the mating season. Females gr eater-than-or-equal-to 3 years old reproduced earlier and were more pr oductive than 2-year-old females. Yearling females did not have lambs.