Watch Two Wild Rams Settle Their Dispute in a Single and Vicious Headbutt

Written by Colby Maxwell
Updated: October 18, 2023
Share on:

Rams are known for their impressive curled horns, which they use to fight for dominance, territory, and mates. But sometimes, a single ram’s headbutt can be enough to end a conflict, as this funny but powerful video shows.

Watch the Rams’ Incredible Headbutting Below!

@peezcats #wildanimals #unitedkingdom #funnyvideos #animaltiktok #wildlife #peresoso #cacatua #intillegence #animals #beautifulnature #funnyvedio #funny #wildanimalvideos #amazingwildlife #animallovers #crazyanimals #natureisbeautiful #cuteanimalclips #funnyanimals2023 ♬ original sound – PeezCats

The video features two massive rams in a large open field, clearly having a dispute over something. The clip starts with the two rams lifting into the air, baring their curled horns, and then running at each other at full speed. When they hit, you can almost feel the power of the strike through the screen. The sound of their skulls colliding is muted, but it probably sounds like a whip cracking due to the insane amount of energy delivered to the horns, necks, and bodies of the rams.

Yes-Butt - Bighorn sheep running and head-butting..

Rams are extremely powerful. A single collision between two rams sounds like a gunshot going off!

©Richard Seeley/Shutterstock.com

Incredibly, that single hit seemed to be enough for the rams, who were totally fine to NOT do that again. They walked their own ways, somehow over what they had just argued about. It’s probably because they just hit heads so hard that they forgot what they were fighting over in the first place!

Do Rams Get Brain Damage From Headbutting?

A closeup shot of a bighorn sheep in a forest in South Dakota

Bighorn sheep have very strong skulls and necks.

©Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock.com

Rams can withstand such massive impacts because they have thick skulls and neck muscles that absorb the force. They also have special air pockets in their horns that act as shock absorbers. However, headbutting can still cause injuries and even death in some cases.

That being said, if there were ever going to be an animal that would make an incredible football player, a ram would probably be the one! Running back or linebacker seems to make the most sense. You don’t want to get in the way of one of these creatures while they’re charging, that’s for sure!

Is It Normal For Bighorn Sheep to Headbutt?

Two Bighorn sheep rams battling during the mating season on a snow-covered prairie.

Bighorn sheep rams battle with each other during the breeding season. The winner gets a mate.

©Warren Metcalf/Shutterstock.com

Bighorn sheep are a species of wild sheep native to North America. They usually live in mountainous terrain and can be seen in the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade Range. They have large, curved horns which can reach up to 30 inches in length.

Bighorn sheep typically live in herds of up to 30 animals and will often graze on grasses, herbs, and shrubs. They communicate with each other using vocalizations, body language, and scents. Bighorn sheep will also use their horns to demonstrate dominance or for defense.

When it comes to social interaction, bighorn sheep will often rub against each other or engage in head-butting contests. These are usually used to determine dominance, and the animals will often lock horns and push against each other until one gives up.

Is it normal for bighorn sheep to headbutt each other? Yes, head-butting is a normal behavior among bighorn sheep and is used to determine social hierarchy. While the head-butting contests usually occur between males, females can also be seen engaging in them.

How Big Are Bighorn Sheep?

Bighorn sheep Valley of Fire Nevada

Some large male bighorn sheep weigh nearly 600 pounds.

©Frank Fichtmueller/Shutterstock.com

At birth, bighorn sheep are small but quickly grow to a large size. They can reach up to 600 pounds when fully grown, with males typically being larger than females. As lambs, they are around 12 pounds, gaining close to two pounds per day during their first few months of life. During their first year, they can grow up to 100 pounds.

The size difference between the sexes is quite dramatic. Adult males can weigh up to twice as much as adult females. Males also have larger horns, with some reaching up to 30 inches in length. In contrast, female bighorn sheep typically have horns that are only around 12-15 inches long.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Richard Seeley/Shutterstock.com


Share on:
About the Author

Colby is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering outdoors, unique animal stories, and science news. Colby has been writing about science news and animals for five years and holds a bachelor's degree from SEU. A resident of NYC, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone about what birds he saw at his local birdfeeder.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.