Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is a species of sheep in North America with large horns. Recent genetic testing indicates that there are three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: Ovis canadensis sierrae. Sheep originally crossed to North America over the Bering land bridge from Siberia: the population in North America peaked in the millions, and the bighorn sheep entered into the mythology of Native Americans. However, by 1900 the population had crashed to several thousand. Conservation efforts (in part, by the Boy Scouts) have restored the population.
Ten Facts about Bighorn Sheep
- They can weigh up to 300 lbs (135 kg), and be up to five feet (1.5 meters) long and three and a quarter feet (1 meter) at the shoulder. Females are smaller.
- Big Horn Sheep live ten to fifteen years.
- Big horn sheep range from Alaska and Northern Canada to Mexico. They tend to live in mountainous areas where they can quickly escape to steep rocks.
- There predators are bobcats, wolves, coyotes; eagles eat young bighorns.
- Horn-butting battles between male bighorns have been known to go on for over 24 hours.
- Desert Bighorns don't need to drink water in the winter because the plants they eat provide enough liquid for them. In the summer they have to drink water about once in three days.
- They range in color from light brown to grayish or dark, chocolate brown, with a white rump and lining on the back of all four legs
- Bighorn ewes exhibit a six-month gestation. Most births occurr in the first two weeks of the lambing period.
- Newborn lambs weigh from 8 to 10 pounds (3.6 to 4.5 kg) and can walk within hours. The lambs are then weaned when they reach 4-6 months.
- The lifespan of rams is typically 9-12 years, with 10-14 years for ewes.
