Mating tactic influences body condition loss in Rocky Mountain bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis)

In polygynous mating systems, males often employ alternative mating tactics to enhance reproductive success. In Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, the primary tactics are coursing, involving mating chases, and tending, involving mate guarding. While both tactics are energetically costly and can diminish body condition, it remains unclear whether the associated costs significantly differ and to what extent. Our study investigated the impact of mating tactics, specifically the proportion of time allocated to each, on body condition loss during the rutting season in bighorn sheep. Using a non-invasive photographic method to estimate body condition loss, we found that the proportion of time a male spent tending significantly correlated with body condition loss. In contrast, the percentage of time spent coursing did not show a significant effect. Age was associated with the choice of tactic, with younger males predominantly coursing, older males primarily tending, and some intermediate-aged males..., , , # Data from: Mating tactic influences body condition loss in Rocky Mountain bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis)

## Description of the data and file structure

The data is freely available in the Ram_condition.csv file. The column headers are explained below:

ID= Identity of individual
Age= Age of individual
%Tending= % of days spent tending a ewe
%Coursing= % of days spent coursing
%Blocking= % of days spent blocking ewes
%SIE= % of days spent following special interest ewe (SIE)
HF_ave= The length of the hindfoot
SA_prerut= the haunch surface are measured in the pre-rut
SA_postrut= the haunch surface area measured in the postrut
SA_diff= the difference in the hanuch surface area measurements between the rpre- and postrut
%diffSA= percent difference in the huanch surface area
SA_prerut_condition= the initial condition measurment
SA_postrut_condition= the final condition measurmeent
resid_SA_age_condition= the residual haunch surface area condition corrected for age
days between= number of ...