Shit happens – a glimpse into males’ mating tactics in a polygynous ungulate - the reindeer

• Published in: Rangifer
• Main Authors: Øystein Holand, Léon L’Italien, Robert B. Weladji, Natasa Djaković, Knut Røed, Anne Lene Hovland, Mauri Nieminen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 2012
• Subjects: intrasexual selection; male-male combats; mating tactics; reindeer; reindeer male mating strategy; videos; Animal culture; SF1-1100; Endeavour; Rangifer
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.7557/2.32.1.2378; https://doaj.org/article/5b17bbd933204863a9563794f15ded38

This is about the two big "guys", Spot and Mika, and their endeavour to propagate their genes during the mating season 2007. They were 6 and 5 years old weighting 172 and 141 kg before rut, respectively. Together with 23 other males (one 5 yrs, two 4 yrs, three 3 yrs, six 2 yrs and eleven 1 yr old) they roamed within a ~15 km2 fenced area competing for access to 87 females. Indeed, the competition was intense and all males present contributed to the dynamic observed. Especially Hot, the heaviest 4 yrs old male weighing 155 kg before rut, played a prominent role - in addition to Spot and Mika, their mating tactics being highly dynamic. However there is no short cut to success - strength have to be coupled with smartness - but shit happens - as we'll see.