Many mammals mate in the fall, including deer, elk, and mountain goats.  Here are 5 mammals that mate at this time of year in the Rocky Mountains.

Have you ever heard of the rut?  Do you have any idea what that is?  Well, it turns out that the rut is the term that describes the time of year when certain mammals, like elk and deer, breed in the fall. All of these relatives of the deer mate in the fall so that they are ready to give birth in the spring.  They do this in order to give their babies the best chance at survival.

5 Mammals Mate In The Fall In The Rocky Mountains

Elk

Every fall between mid-September and November the elk rut occurs.  The rut is the time when males work to attract females in order to gain the right to breed with them.

The male elk become a bit reckless and aggressive at this time of year as they seek to attract females.  Sometimes during the rut males will end up fighting.  This is when two males will charge at each other and lock horns until the weaker one gives up and backs away.

White – Tailed Deer

White tailed deer are another mammal that breeds during the fall.  The rut for deer takes place  between the months of mid-October and late November.  The rut actually takes place over a very short period of one to three weeks during these months.

During the deer rut, the males are no longer secretive and are much more easily seen, especially during the daytime.

Bighorn Sheep

There are a few different species of Bighorn Sheep.  The rut for all the species of North American Bighorn sheep occurs in the fall.  It is during this time of year that the males work for dominance.  Similar to elk, this begins with displays of size and then may lead to two males ramming heads in a stunning display of power.

The rut for desert bighorn sheep takes place from August to November.

The Rocky Mountain and California Bighorn Sheep rut takes place over a longer period of time – from October to January.

Mountain Goat

Mountain goat mate between November and early January.  During this time of year, similar to the other mammals here, the males will fight with each other for the right to breed with a female.

Moose

Yes, even the moose engage in the fall rut when they breed in the fall.  Between October and November the males will put on a show, strutting around, showing off their large size and big antlers in order to attract females.

Sometimes the males will end up clashing heads.  This not only works to show which male is dominant, but the sound also attracts females when they hear it.