Interesting facts about bighorn sheep

bighorn sheeps

The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is a species of sheep native to North America.



There are three subspecies, which occupy separate geographical areas: the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis); the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae), and the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelson).


The bighorn sheep is named for its massive, spiral horns, which in the male can reach lengths of over a meter (3.3 feet) and weigh up to 14 kilograms (30 pounds). Females also have horns, but they are shorter with less curvature.

bighorn sheep

Males typically weigh 58–143 kg (127–316 lb), are 91–104 cm (36–41 in) tall at the shoulder, and 180–200 cm (69–79 in) long from the nose to the tail.

Females are typically 34–85 kg (75–188 lb), 76–91 cm (30–36 in) tall at the shoulder, and 140–170 cm (54–67 in) long from the nose to the tail.





Thanks to their amazing balance, bighorn sheep can stand on ledges that are only 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide.

bighorn sheep on cliff

They can bounce from ledge to ledge over spans as wide as 6 meters (20 feet).

They can move over level ground at 48 km/h (30 mph) and scramble up mountain slopes at 24 km/h (15 mph).


Bighorn sheep live in social groups but rams and ewes usually only meet to mate. Male-only bachelor herds usually contain 5 to 50 rams at one time. The females live in nursery herds, with 5 to 100 members, which include adult females and lambs of both genders.


It is during the mating season that the rams join the female groups and engage in fierce competition to establish access rights to ewes.

Bighorn sheep are perhaps best known for the head-to-head combat between males. Horn size is a symbol of rank, and the mass of the horns is used to a male’s best advantage as he smashes into an opponent at speeds of 32 kilometer (20 miles) per hour. Combat has been observed to last for as long as 25.5 hours (with approximately 5 clashes an hour) until one of the males conceded.

bighorn sheeps fight

The strongest rams of the herd will mate with the females. Mating season is in the autumn and early winter.


bighorn lamb

Bighorn sheep of all ages are threatened by bears, wolves and especially cougars, which are perhaps best equipped with the agility to prey on them in uneven, rocky habitats. And also lambs are hunted by coyotes, bobcats, lynx and golden eagles.



Conservation efforts have restored the population. Today, there are about 70,000 bighorn sheep.



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