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Mobility

The mobility of groups has a determining seasonal character.

During winter they live on the lower slopes of the mountains, where they find greater protection from the harshness of that season.

In summer they move to the higher slopes. Groups can move up to 40 km per day, depending on the availability of water and food, and this distance can be altered by the occurrence of other factors such as the existence of offspring and the occurrence of predators. In case of attack, mares protect their young by forming a circle around them.

At the beginning of spring, the breeding season takes place, the group is less dispersed and the marking of the territory is more intense. Topping occurs naturally at this time. The mares isolate themselves to give birth, joining the group some time later. From March or April the group climbs towards the top of the mountain.

In autumn, around October, they descend again. Upon reaching sexual maturity, young males leave the herd, either voluntarily or at the behest of the stallion. From then on, they will try to conquer their own territory and assemble their group of mares, competing with other males.

At night, in a circle, the mares sleep together, protected by the stallion, with their heads turned inwards and their hindquarters outwards to kick the wolf, in the middle are the youngest foals.

The interaction with its only natural predator is complex, with the wolf being responsible for a significant number of attacks on garrans. Still, several studies demonstrate that in cohesive groups, with a strong female leader, wolf predation poses a reduced threat.