Desert Bighorn Sheep

Desert Bighorn Sheep Body Features

• Desert bighorn sheep are heavy bodied sheep.
• They are also stocky and similar in size to a mule deer.
• They are usually 125 to 200 lb.
• Bighorn sheep can climb steep, rocky terrain, due to their concave elastic hooves.
• Due to their keen eyesight they rely on their ability to detect predators.

Desert Bighorn Sheep Desert Adaptation

• Desert bighorn sheep can adapt well in the desert.
• There bodies can safely fluctuate several degrees.
• They can live in desert mountains with little or no water. When they do drink water they can recover quickly from dehydration.
• Bighorns can lose up to 30 percent of their weight and survive.

Social Life

• Desert bighorn sheep herds have 8 to 10 individuals, and sometimes up to 100!
• Rams fight each other to determine who is more powerful, and who gains possession of the ewes. Rams crash their gigantic horns together with incredible force, while fighting.
• Bighorns live in separate bands most of the year. They determine the bands by gender. Usually they gather in July to October to breed.