Facts About Desert Bighorn Sheep

The desert bighorn sheep is mammal belonging to the Bovidae family, native to the United States and Mexico. It is the subspecies of the bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), typically characterized by their long curvaceous horns - with the rams sporting thick horns measuring over 3 ft in length.

Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni)

• They are found in mountain ranges or foothills, in desert regions and dry areas with inadequate water and less vegetation. Their bodies can adapt to the fluctuating temperatures of desert regions very quickly.
• The rams, measuring 160 to 180 cm in length, weigh up to 120 to 125 kg, while the ewes measuring 140 to 160 cm, weigh between 50 to 90 kg.
• This muscular animal, sports a brown fur coat, which is glossy in summer but fades off in winter.
• They have a sharp eyesight, which helps them to detect the threat from predators such as mountain lions and bobcats.
• Their strong hooves make them good mountain climbers, a skill which helps them to escape potential predators by running on steep hills.
• They have magnificent horns which can grow up to a length of 33 inches and weigh 30 lbs. These horns start near their cheeks and curl behind their heads. The horns are symbols of superiority in bighorn.
• The desert bighorns indulge in fierce head to head combats, the winners of which, get the ewes. These head to head combats can last for many hours.
• In a deadly combat, the bighorn attack by ramming their thick skull and strong horns onto each other, coming full speed from a distance of about 20-30 feet.
• The strong horns mainly used for fighting, also substitute as tools for breaking cactus for consumption.
• Their diet mainly consists of desert vegetation. Their complex 9 stage digestive process ensures that this animal derive maximum nutrients from marginal quality food, like dry grass.
• During winters, when green vegetation is abundant, these animals can go without drinking water for many days, while in summer they can stay without drinking water for two or three days.
• In summer, the desert bighorn sheep reduce water loss from their body by taking shelter in caves and bulging rock projections, during the day time.
• The species has a life span of 10 to 15 years. The age of a bighorn can be determined by taking note of the rings on their horns.
• They attain sexual maturity by the age of 2 years. Although the rams and the ewes live in separate groups throughout the year, they come together in the mating season.
• After a gestation period of 180 days, the ewe gives birth to a young one. A young one weighs about 8 to 10 pounds at birth, and becomes active within a few minutes. They stay with the mother for a period of 2 years after birth.
• This species of the bighorn sheep were nearly wiped out due to over hunting and loss of habitat. Today, with only a few thousand individuals left, they are highly dependent on conservation efforts, to avoid the threat of becoming extinct.

The desert bighorn sheep, once found in abundance are battling for their basic survival today. If proper steps are not taken, then it won't be long before this magnificent creature is wiped out from the planet.