Editing Dall sheep (section)

==Natural history==
===Ecology===
The sheep inhabit the [[subarctic]] and [[arctic]] mountain ranges of [[Alaska]], the [[Yukon]] Territory, the [[Mackenzie Mountains]] in the western [[Northwest Territories]], and central and northern [[British Columbia]]. ''O. dalli'' are found in areas with a combination of dry [[alpine tundra]], [[meadow]]s, and steep or rugged ground. This combination allows for both grazing and escape from predators.<ref name='adfg-dallsheep' />

''O. dalli'' can often be observed along the [[Seward Highway]] South of Anchorage, Alaska, within [[Denali National Park and Preserve]] (which was created in 1917 to preserve the sheep from overhunting), at Sheep Mountain in [[Kluane National Park and Reserve]], in the Tatshenshini Park [[Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park]] in northwestern British Columbia, and near [[Faro, Yukon]].

Primary predators of this sheep are [[Northwestern wolf|wolf]] packs, [[coyote]]s, [[American black bear|black bear]]s, and [[grizzly bear]]s; [[golden eagle]]s are predators of the young.<ref name=Bowyer/> ''O. dalli'' have been known to butt gray wolves off the face of cliffs.

===Social structure===
[[File:Dall Sheep Rams (5301124017).jpg|thumb|right|Rams interacting in [[Denali National Park]]]]
Rams and ewes are rarely found in the same groups outside of the mating season, or [[rut (mammalian reproduction)|rut]], which occurs from mid-November through mid-December. For most of the year, rams feed in the best foraging areas to enhance their reproductive fitness. During spring and summer, ewes are more likely to select areas such as steep, rocky slopes with lower predation risk to raise offspring.<ref name=npsSocial>{{NPS|url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/dall-sheep-social-structure.htm|article=The Social Structure of Dall Sheep|accessdate=2021-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rachlow|first1=JL|first2=RT|last2=Bowyer|year=1998|title=Habitat selection by Dall's sheep (Ovis dalli): maternal trade-offs|journal=Journal of Zoology|volume=245|issue=4|pages=457–465|doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00120.x}}</ref>

[[File:Dall Sheep herd.jpg|thumb|alt=Dall Sheep herd|Dall Sheep herd]]

Social order and [[dominance (ethology)|dominance]] rank is maintained in ram groups through a variety of behaviors including head-on collisions. These dramatic clashes involve each ram getting a running start before colliding, horns-first into one another. Other behaviors associated with establishing social order include leg kicks, bluff charges, and dominance mounting. Most of this behavior establishes order year-round, but clashes between males with similar horn sizes intensify as the rut approaches.<ref name='adfg-dallsheep' /> Ewes occasionally engage in similar competitive behavior over feeding or bedding sites. Young sheep practice such interactions as part of their play.<ref name=npsSocial/> While rams do clash horns, it is done to establish order, not over fights to possess ewes.<ref name='adfg-dallsheep' />

Rams are known to occupy up to six seasonal ranges, including different areas used during autumn, rut (or mating season from mid-November to mid-December), midwinter, late winter/spring, and summer, as well as spending time at salt licks.<ref name=Bowyer>{{cite journal|last1=Bowyer|first1=RT|first2=DM Jr. |last2=Leslie|year=1992|title=Ovis dalli|journal=Mammalian Species|issue=393|pages=1–7|doi=10.2307/3504164|jstor=3504164|s2cid=253925033 |url=https://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-393-01-0001.pdf}}</ref><ref name=npsSocial/>

For most of the year, ewes select areas free of snow and close to forage. After lambs are born in May, close proximity to escape terrain as well as nearby forage are important in habitat selection. Ewes and lambs will travel farther from escape terrain to forage when in larger groups.<ref name=npsSocial/>

In the summer, food has a high variety and is abundant. In the winter, food is limited to what is available in snow-free areas, such as frozen grasses, [[sedge]]s, [[lichen]]s, or [[moss]]es. ''O. dalli'' will travel long distances in the spring to visit [[mineral lick]]s to supplement their diet.<ref name='adfg-dallsheep' />