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Desert Bighorn Sheep

Ovis canadensis nelsoni

Photo by CynthiaMHori
Published on Project Noah
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39.2269, -110.737

Field Notes

Description:

This large 150 pound desert dweller is named for the large horns it carries. The horns start to grow after birth and continue to grow through the 12 year lifespan of this herbivore. The horns can weigh up to 30 pounds. The sheep has the ability to climb on steep slick-rock because of its special hooves and we watched this guy descend from the other side of the canyon. He was interested in us and came towards us, checked us out and then took a drink , crossed the creek and went up the other side of the canyon. He was alone.

Habitat:

The desert of the great western region of the US.

Notes:

There are 900 Bighorn sheep living in the San Rafael Swell in Utah. We were so lucky to have him spot us

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (9)

This was spotted in a region of the San Rafael Swell called Buckhorn Wash in Utah
Industrial-strength sheep. I like :) Congrats on your SOTD, Cynthia.
Congratulations Cynthia!!! Wonderful series. Thank you for the information and for sharing :)
Congratulations Cynthia, this is our Spotting of the Day! I love how you described that the sheep spotted you! Thank you for your detailed notes. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603.674700.10150120463815603/10157721088690603/?type=3&theater Twitter: https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/795049312313020416

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