Bighorn Sheep

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Bighorns can be found in the mountains of Canada south to New Mexico. Bighorn males (Rams) are famous for their large, curled horns and use these horns when fighting other males for dominance or mating rights by clashing horns, sometimes for many hours, until one ram walks away. These horns can weigh up to 30 pounds, more than all the bones in his body combined. Females also have horns but they are much smaller in size. Relatives of the goats, their split hooves with rough bottoms and keen vision help them move easily along the rocky mountain terrain. Once the males and ewes mate, the rams live in groups with other males and the ewes live with other ewes and their young. The diet of the ram consists of grass, seeds, and plants. Lambs are born on high, secluded ledges to protect them from wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions. When one week old the lamb and its mother join the others in a herd.

Bighorn Sheep - Fast Facts

Type: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore
Average lifespan in the wild: 6 to 15 years
Size: 5 to 6 ft (1.5 to 1.8 m)
Weight: 117 to 279 lbs (53 to 127 kg)
Group name: Herd
Status: ENDANGERED

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