Desert Bighorn Sheep

Description:

Desert bighorn are stocky, heavy-bodied sheep, similar in size to mule deer. Weights of mature rams range from 125 to 200 pounds (55 to 90 kg), while ewes are somewhat smaller. Both sexes develop horns soon after birth, with horn growth continuing more or less throughout life. Older rams have impressive sets of curling horns measuring over three feet long with more than one foot of circumference at the base. The ewes' horns are much smaller and lighter and do not tend to curl. After eight years of growth, the horns of an adult ram may weigh more than 30 pounds. Annual growth rings indicate the animal's age." - Wikipedia

Habitat:

San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This "is a subspecies of bighorn sheep that occurs in the desert Southwest regions of the United States and in the northern regions of Mexico." - Wikipedia

Notes:

"Due to their unique concave elastic hooves, bighorn are able to climb the steep, rocky terrain of the desert mountains with speed and agility. Bighorn rely on their keen eyesight to detect potential predators such as mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats, and they use their climbing ability to escape. The characteristics and behavior of desert bighorn sheep generally follow those of other bighorn sheep, except for adaptation to the lack of water in the desert: bighorn sheep can go for extended periods of time without drinking water. Desert bighorn sheep typically live for 10–20 years. The typical diet of a desert bighorn sheep is mainly grasses." - Wikipedia