Bighorn+Sheep+2010



By: Brande R.

Bighorn Sheep are named for their large curved horns that only the males have. The males are called rams. The Females or ewes have horns too but unlike the ram’s horns, the female’s horns are only slightly curved. Their color ranges from light brown, to grayish, or dark chocolate brown with a white behind. Rams typically weight 127-316 lb. and are 36-41 in. tall from shoulder to feet. Bighorns graze on grasses and browse shrubs. Particularly in fall and winter they seek minerals at natural salt like. Prior to the mating season or rut, the males attempt to establish a dominant male that will determine access to ewes for mating. Bighorn females have a six month gestation. One or very rarely two labs are born in May. The lambs are weaned when they reach 4-6 months. The rocky mountainous regions of Canada and the United States. Bighorn Sheep are very susceptible to certain diseases carried by domesticated sheep such as pneumonia or scabies. 200 years ago bighorns were widespread through the western part of the US, Canada and Northern Mexico. Some estimates of their population were over 2 million, but by 1900 hunting, competition from domesticated sheep and diseases had decreased the population to only thousands. Natural parks like Yellowstone have given the bighorns another chance. The Boy Scouts of Arizona pitched in to help the bighorns comeback.