Bighorn Sheep

Description:

The Bighorn Sheep are name for the large, curved horns borne by the rams which are the male. 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. Males typically weigh 127–316 pounds (58–143 kg), are 36–41 inches (91–100 cm) tall at the shoulder, and 69–79 inches (180–200 cm) long from the nose to the tail. Male bighorn sheep have large horn cores, enlarged cornual and frontal sinuses and internal bony septa. These adaptations serve to protect the brain by absorbing the impact of clashes. Bighorn sheep have preorbital glands on the anterior corner of each eye, inguinal glands in the groin and pedal glands on each foot. Secretions from these glands may support dominance behaviors. Another animal that shares the same enviroment is the Mountain Goat. The wolf and the Bighorn Sheep have a predator and prey relationship. The wolf eats the Bighorn Sheep to live. The Bighorn Sheep reproduces sexually, the rams have head butting contest to see which is more dominant and the winner will mate with more female sheep called Ewes. When the male is ready to mate, he will go to a herd of female sheeps and have them chase him.

Habitat:

I spotted the Bighorn Sheep at Jasper, Alberta. The Bighorn sheep live in alpine meadows, mountain slopes and foothills. They like areas with rocky slopes they can climb to evade predators. The Bighorn Sheep has a commensalism relationship with the mountain slopes and foothills as it provides food and shelter. The Bighorn Sheep browses on grasses, clover and sedges in warm months. In colder months, it eats woody plants like willow and sage. Bighorn sheep in desert areas often eat brushy plants like holly and cactus. When it is not grazing, it will lie down and chew its cud.

Notes:

Kingdom: Animilia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Subfamily: Caprinae Genus: Ovis Species: O. canadensis The Bighorn Sheep reproduces sexually