W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M
35
Bull elk fighting.
Sometimes their horns
tangle and both starve.
D
ISPUTES OVER RESOURCES SUCH AS FOOD, WATER, OR A CERTAIN RESTING SPOT ARE COMMONLY SETTLED BY ONE
ANIMAL DEFERRING TO ANOTHER. Sparring battles are also fought amongst the younger males in trying to assert their strength.
A battle is often avoided if threatening displays are forceful enough to dissuade a challenger. Once an injured or an exhausted ani-
mal wins the dispute, he can possibly die or be too exhausted to claim his prize! erefore, most conflicts are settled by short tests of strength.
Battles that might lead to injury are those battles fought by males over females. When valuable resources, such as the mating ritual, are high at
stake, males may exert themselves in such posturing stances as the thrashing of trees, bushes or grasses, or plowing and raking mud . Bison chal-
lenge with a lift of the tail as another bull approaches his harem. Again, size, strength, and determination within the male to fight for mating
rights will decide this ritual conflict.
photo essay by CAROL POLICH
CONTINUED
