Bighorn Sheep

		SIZE

		HEIGHT:	2.5-3.5 ft. to shoulder
		LENGTH:	N/A
		WEIGHT:	Males (Rams) range from 125 to 275 lb. Females (Ewes) usually weight in at 75 to 150 lb.

		BREEDING

		MATURITY:	Females breed at 2.5 years.
		MATING:	Young are usually born from May to June.
		GESTATION:	About 180 days.
		# OF YOUNG :	1, sometimes 2.

		LIFESTYLE

		HABIT:	Gregarious. Rams usually separate in the Summer and rejoin with family in Fall.
		DIET:	Both a browser and a grazer. They feed on a great variety of plants.
		LIFESPAN:	Aver. of 8 years. Can live up to 17.

		SCIENTIFIC NAME

		FAMILY:	Similar species: Rocky Mountain Goat, Deer, and Pronghorn (antelope). Bighorn are classified as "Ovis canadensis"

		GENERAL INFORMATION

		Bighorn Sheep can be found in all of the southwestern deserts. In places such as the Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts of southeast California, Arizona and New Mexico. They reside in the foothills near rocky cliffs and permanent water when seasonally available. Bighorn Sheep rarely inhabit areas that are disturbed by humans. Bighorns spend their summers (when applicable) high in the alpine zone on grass-covered slopes. In winter, they may migrate a considerable distance to reach south or southwest-facing slopes where snow cover is minimal. The Bighorn is covered with a brown coat. It's belly, rump, back of legs, muzzle and eye patch are all white. The male has a hard and thick set of horns. The horns spiral backwards from the top of the head. The Bighorn Sheep is an excellent climber and jumper. Bighorns are generally active during the day, feeding morning, noon and evening, then lying down to chew their cud. They retire to their bedding areas for the night, which may be used for many years. The rutting season is from mid-September to late October. During this time, the males have butting contests where they "butt" each other with their horns. During this, they can reach speeds of 50-70 miles per hour and an estimated force of 2400 pounds. Bighorn Sheep have superior eyesight and agility and therefore, have few natural predators. What is threatening to them is destruction of their natural habitat and diseases.

"My husband and I thought this was going to be a tourist trap, but a friend made me promise to visit. I am so glad that I did! It was an amazing visit. We saw huge Elk, moutain lions, wolfs and bears. We were lucky enough to see a wolf chasing a bear...I think they were playing!"

BB
Austin, Texas