Fighting on "horns" for "females" is so exhausting for males, who almost do not "eat" and"spend a lot of energy, after rut they often become prey to predators— snow leopards, wolves.
After the mating season, males lose vigor
In the Argali mountains, last year's dry, withered grass is plucked all winter, which does not seem to be nutritious at all, but shepherds know that alpine grass is more nutritious than grass of the plains. In winter, wild ungulates and livestock graze the grass from under the snow.
In winter , they survive on a meager diet
For ungulates, the release of minerals (salts) from the earth is important. Ungulates lick such natural salt flats to the bottom. Environmentalists help wild animals by setting up artificial salt wells and burying bags of salt in the ground. It is also convenient to install camera traps in such places, and animals will definitely get into the lens.
Salt will be preferred to a delicious lunch
In October−November, Argali has a rutting season. Usually, a younger and weaker male, after several close encounters with an opponent, gives up and simply leaves. The stronger and "adult" still catches up with the opponent for some time, but "no longer"fights with him. If the opponents are equal, the fights can last for a quarter of an hour. The horny beauties silently watch the "duels" and "wait for the winner, because he"will get the whole harem.
The winner gets everything
An adult ram eats about 10-15 kg of grass per day, but it drinks little and can sit on a dry diet for a long time. In winter, they hoof grass, moss, lichens, and migrate to places where the snow is high. With the onset of cold weather argali migrate from Mongolia Russian Altai, and from Tuva, on the contrary, go into Mongolia.
The weight of a male Altai mountain sheep can reach 180 kg, and their horns can weigh up to 35 kg. Unfortunately, for the sake of such a valuable trophy, poachers are destroying argali.
Argali is the largest argali on the planet