Lambs and yearlings usually omit the pawing activity. The night beds are more elaborate structures. They are usually situated on steep, rocky slopes, on top of rocky rims, or on a slope between two bluffs. In such places the sheep receive adequate protection, for they have an unobstructed view in all directions except uphill, from which direction the approach of a predator would be signaled by rolling stones. The animals tend to bunch together at night.
Individual beds are ovoid in shape with the long axis on the contour of the slope.
Beds in constant use are rimmed with piles of feces and strong with the odor of urine. The food of bighorn sheep depends on availability and season. In western Texas deer brush, sotol, and ocotillo were utilized extensively by bighorns. Vernon Bailey reported them as feeding on mountain mahogany, Mexican tea, trumpet flower, mock orange, prickly pear, wild onions, and penstemon. Bighorns rarely need water.