Bighorn Sheep

Description:

Bighorn, or mountain sheep are large, muscular appearing, with dark brown hair on top in northern populations, to a tan color in southern populations. Underneath they are white. They have a distinctive white rump patch, along with a white muzzle and eye patch. Their tail is short and brown. Rams have massive, curled horns that curl upward and back, the tips of which can eventually reach the same level as the base of the horn - referred to as a "full curl" - and the ewes possessing horns as well, seldom exceeding a "half curl."

Habitat:

Bighorn sheep generally inhabit alpine meadows, grassy mountain slopes and foothill country near rugged, rocky cliffs and bluffs.

Notes:

Although somewhat dated, the following link provides a bit of history regarding the numerous agencies that have been actively involved in the restoration of the Bighorn sheep population at Badlands National Park: http://www.georgewright.org/20bouras.pdf... There were thought to be approximately 100 animals in residence at the park in June, 2009. Biologists confirmed at least eleven healthy lambs born to Bighorn Sheep at Badlands National Park that year. All lambs observed at that time were progeny from the translocation of Bighorn Sheep from Taos, New Mexico, accomplished in 2004 in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.