Doubt that...In 5 years, this is the first time and we have everything from kids to grizzly bear in the area and never have seen this behavior. It seemed to be between the ewes.
Thank you...That makes sense as all our animals seem to be getting randy early this year for some reason even though we a having a indian summer. It will be interesting to observe them more. Also the ewe that was being lip curled at is a Finn mix, which I am told are indiscriminate breeders.Google is a wonderful thing
The flehmen response (/ˈfleɪmən/; German: [ˈfleːmən]), also called the flehmen position, flehmen reaction, flehming, or flehmening, is a behaviour whereby an animal curls back its upper lips exposing its front teeth, inhales with the nostrils usually closed and then often holds this position for several seconds. It may be performed over a site or substance of particular interest to the animal (e.g. urine or faeces) or may be performed with the neck stretched and the head held high in the air. Flehmen is performed by a wide range of mammals including ungulates and felids. The behaviour facilitates the transfer of pheromones and other scents into the vomeronasal organ located above the roof of the mouth via a duct which exits just behind the front teeth of the animal.
If you'd like to learn more about the flehmen response follow this link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flehmen_response
