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Photo courtesy of
Center for Biological Diversity
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Bighorn Sheep - Description
The hallmark of Bighorn sheep is massive brown horns of male sheep or rams. These horns curl back, down and up past the animal's cheeks. Adult rams of 7-8 years have horns with a full curl spreading upwards to 33 inches and weighing more than 40 pounds. Bighorn sheep have double-layered skulls shored with struts of bone for battle protection.
Female sheep or ewes have smaller horns that never exceed half a curl. The body of Bighorn sheep is muscular and compact; the muzzle is narrow and pointed; the tail is very short. The fur of these animals is usually brown with whitish patches that allow the sheep to hide against the rocky background. The summer coat is glossy, but it becomes faded by the end of winter. The desert subspecies is smaller and has flatter, wider-spreading horns.
Height: 32-40 inches (80-100 cm) at the shoulders.
Length: 50-62 inches (1.2-1.6 m) long including the tail.
Weight: females weigh up to 200 pounds and males reach 300 pounds.
Life Span: Average longevity is 10 years, but in captivity can live up to 17 years.
Bighorn Sheep - Diet
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Photo courtesy of
British Columbia travel information © 1995-2003
Interactive Broadcasting Corporation
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Bighorn sheep are herbivores and spend most of their time grazing and browsing. They feed on grass, leaves, herbs, twigs, and can thrive on scarce vegetation. Bighorn sheep swallow the food without chewing and regurgitate it in the form of a cud for chewing later. Bighorn Sheep - Conservation Links
Arizona Desert Bighorns - The mission of the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society is to promote the management of Bighorn sheep and increase their population in the state of Arizona.
Arizona Game and Fish - Natural history, species description and distribution information for Desert Bighorn Sheep in Arizona.
Bighorn Sheep - Ovis Canadensis - Basic facts concerning these animals, such as habitat, diet, reproduction and conservation.
Bighorn Sheep in Hells Canyon - Historical Background and the Hells Canyon
Bighorn Sheep Restoration Project.
Bighorn Sheep in Rocky Mountains - Problems connected with population of Bighorns and measures taken to protect them.
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Photo courtesy of
Bear Country USA
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Bighorn Sheep Returning to Historic Ranges - A program of reintroducing Bighorns to Oregon and other places.
Biosphere Reserve - Bighorn Sheep Program regulating hunting in many arrears of the USA.
Cedar Meadows Wilderness Park - Bighorn sheep hunting is banned in this place and the population is rather numerous.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - A survey on population fluctuations among these animals and threats to their existence.
Desert Bighorn Sheep Information - Adaptation, food, reproduction and threats to the species.
Earth Story - US adding Bighorn sheep to protection list. Read about the measures taken to protect this species.
Fish and Wildlife Service - Learn about the desert Bighorn sheep of Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona and read several articles about the problem of protection.
Glacier National Park Bighorns - Bighorn sheep metapopulation ecology in Glacier National Park. The problem is that human activities drive Bighorns to extirpation.
Land Management - A study on Bighorn Sheep impact upon the land and their importance to humans.
Mojave National Preserve - Learn about the incredible desert Bighorn sheep, and how this animal survives in the Mojave National Preserve.
Monolake. Bighorns - The future of Sierra Bighorn sheep and the role of the Mono Basin
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Photo courtesy of
DesertUSA © 1996-2003
DesertUSA.com and Digital West Media Inc.
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National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center - The National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Association is dedicated to educating the public about the habitat and conservation needs of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and to encouraging the active stewardship of wildlife and wild lands.
Native Mammals. Bighorn Sheep - Significance of these species and its distribution in the USA.
Peninsular Bighorn Sheep - The center's campaign to protect the Bighorn.
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society - Conservation group of Bighorn sheep in Colorado consists of artists, ecologists, photographers, and naturalists whose common purpose is to support the sound management of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and its habitat.
Sierra Bighorn - A successful program to reestablish the Bighorn in historic ranges and increase their numbers.
Utah Outdoors - Utah's Bighorn sheep program flourishes and today Utah is home to more than 4,000 Bighorn sheep.
