Bighorn sheep

Bighorn sheep are wild sheep native to western North America, distinguished by the large, curved horns of adult males.

Ovis canadensis: The scientific species name for bighorn sheep, a wild sheep native to western North America. This is the species that includes the populations and subspecies called bighorn sheep.
Bighorn sheep rut: The breeding season of bighorn sheep, when males compete for access to receptive females. Rams use displays and clashes to establish mating opportunities.
Bighorn sheep conservation: The protection and recovery of bighorn sheep populations and their habitats. Management addresses population declines, habitat barriers, and disease outbreaks.
Desert bighorn sheep: A group of bighorn sheep adapted to arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its desert habitat contrasts with the alpine settings of many other populations.
Habitat fragmentation: The division of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Roads and development can block movement between bighorn seasonal ranges.
Horn: A permanent bony structure covered by keratin that grows from the head of many mammals. Bighorn sheep horns grow throughout life and are especially large in adult males.
Ram fighting: Combat between male sheep in which opponents charge and clash their horns. Bighorn rams resolve dominance contests through forceful head-to-head collisions.
Pneumonia in bighorn sheep: A respiratory disease that can cause severe outbreaks and long-term lamb mortality in bighorn sheep. Pneumonia has contributed to major population losses and complicates herd recovery.
Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep: An endangered bighorn sheep subspecies native to California’s Sierra Nevada. Its recovery illustrates conservation of a geographically isolated population.
Domestic sheep: The domesticated form of the sheep species Ovis aries, raised for meat, wool, and other products. Contact with domestic flocks can expose bighorn sheep to respiratory pathogens.

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Hells CanyonRelated: They inhabit the canyon’s cliffs and steep slopes.