Subtypes

By California Department of Fish and Wildlife from Sacramento, CA, USA - bighorn sheep, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69196072

Ovis canadensis canadensis

The Sierra Nevada bighorn is the most elusive of bighorn species, only occuring in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. They are inbetween the size of the Rocky Mountain and Desert bighorns, typically ranging from dark brown to near white with heavy seasonal variation. Their horns are smaller and wider with a less pronounced curl.

Range: Mojave, Sonoran, Great Basin, Chihuahua Deserts and the Colorado Plateau.

Habitat: Desert

Size: 52-127 kg (115 to 279.74 lb); 150-180 cm (59.06 to 70.87 in)

Life Span: 10-20 years in the wild; up to 20 years in captivity

Feeding: Herbivore

Reproduction: Polygynous. Sexual maturity for females are reached at 2-3 years and males reach sexual maturity at 7 years. Horn size and mass of horns are a symbol of rank with males engaging in battles over mating access for each females. Rutting season occurs in autumn and early winter with births taking place in the spring. Gestation is 150-180 days with one, ocassionally, two lambs born. Lambs are weaned by 4 to 6 months.

Conservation Status: Threatened. Adapt readily to captivity.

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