Stare down between bighorn ram and coyote

A bighorn ram and coyote size each other up after three coyotes happened upon this ram along with two others on a steep rock face in Yellowstone National Park. Eventually, the coyotes and sheep parted ways without any physical confrontation. Can you find both?

comments (4)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Nice one Travis! So glad you did not have to witness a bloodbath, would a coyote normally take on a bighorn? Posted 6 years ago
1. travismorhardt
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, Claire! I would consider this an uncommon encounter. Three rams were lounging on the cliff side when three coyotes seemingly happened upon them. One of the coyotes got excited and did run towards one of the rams; the ram initially ran, but once it climbed to the top of the cliff it turned and faced the coyote at about 30 feet, and the coyote immediately backed off. I think given the location, the coyotes would have been at a disadvantage. It was certainly a fun encounter! Posted 6 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Oh wow, wasn't expecting this when opening the thumb :) Great moment! Posted 6 years ago

Barry

Lion

Great combination shot. Posted 4 years ago

The Bighorn sheep

The bighorn sheep is a species of sheep in North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to 30 lb , while the sheep themselves weigh up to 300 lb . Recent genetic testing indicates three distinct subspecies of ''Ovis canadensis'', one of which is endangered: ''O. c. sierrae''. Sheep originally crossed to North America over the Bering land bridge from Siberia: the population in North America peaked in the millions, and the bighorn sheep entered into the mythology of.. more

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Similar species: Even-toed Ungulates

Species identified by travismorhardt