The physical manifestations of rut in Soay rams: a brief update

I spent much less time than usual in the bullpen this fall, so I missed the gradual “bulking up” of the rams that happens every year as they go into rut for mating. Earlier this week on New Year’s Day, I went out for my first 2013 look at our flock and was startled to see what a hulk one of our British Soay flocksires, Emmett, has turned into. Does this fellow look like he’s spent too much time with his personal trainer over the last four months?

Emmett in rut, New Year's Day 2013

Emmett in rut, New Year's Day 2013

All our rams, both those slated to breed and those who will sit out the mating season, undergo the same hormonal changes in late summer and early fall as their bodies get ready just in case. Their hormonal overdrive causes their horns to firm up and their shoulder mass to increase significantly in anticipation of the battering rituals by which rams seek primacy in mating. Not all Soay rams have manes, but those who do sport dramatically thicker and longer “beards” during rut. Stiff tufts of hair appear on the rams’ backs, recalling the time-consuming hairdo rituals of young adults in the throes of first love. It’s best to stay upwind of the rams during rut because the same hormone-induced body odors that attract ewes are pretty rank to us humans.

If all this seems overly dramatic and perhaps even exaggerated, have a look at Emmett just last June, well before rut started. At that point he had only a few wisps for a mane, no upper back roughage, and overall a lot less bulk in his shoulders and chest.

Laid-back Emmett in June 2012

Laid-back Emmett in June 2012

All rams, including, Emmett, will “shrink” a bit after rut and especially when they shed their coats, including most of their manes, later this spring. Meanwhile, Emmett and his unlucky brethern in the bullpen who did not get called up for breeding mostly sit around and grunt at each other, occasionally rousing themselves for a little fraternal head-butting with a distinct “wait ’til next year” swagger.

For now …

Top