Fauna Series No. 6

Fauna of the National Parks — No. 6 The Bighorn of Death Valley

Figure 22.—Lowell Sumner came to our assistance on the water project and by the end of July 1956 we had made about 75 gallons of water available to the bighorn at Navel Spring, shown here, and had brought similar supplies to the surface at Virgin, Scotty's and Hole-in-the-Rock Springs.

Figure 23.—We began to learn how specific or how transient the bands may be within the herd. During the autumn of 1956, Old Mama's band was in three small groups. These temporarily joined to become a record band of 18. Shown here are 15 of this group waiting for Old Mama and 2 others (not shown) to join them.

Figure 24.—By the end of the summer, 1956, we had established our observation camp at Nevares Springs and had our first glimpse into the preliminary rituals of the rams. However, we saw no actual ram "fights" until the summer of 1957.

Figure 25.—On August 27, 1957, our field identification study began to gain substance when Tight Curl arrived at Nevares Spring. We had known him in Furnace Creek Wash in November 1956 and in upper Echo Canyon in January 1957. His right horn curls much closer than his left, and both are badly marred at the frontal base by heavy fighting.

Figure 26.—Two types of identification. Tight Curl was "positive" because his distinguishing characteristics could scarcely be duplicated by another ram. But Little Whitey is a "relative" type. Her white rump and white face, which is relatively rare, coupled with a peculiar carriage of the head, make her identification "positive" only as long as she remains in the same area.

Figure 27.—Some distinguishing characteristics may be temporary. The lump below the left ear of the Badwater lamb (Mischief), March 1955, was noticeable for 1 day only, then vanished. This is a "relative" type.

Figure 28.—Old Mama, observed at Furnace Creek in 1956 and 1957, had a characteristic figure which could be recognized a mile away with a telescope. Her "horn-prints" were "positive," the right horn plate being chipped out at the base on the inside, which is very rare. Her right horn tip is broomed; her eyes, yellow.

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Last Modified: Thurs, May 16 2002 10:00:00 pm PDT
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