Utah is home to an estimated 4,500-5,000 Bighorn Sheep. The Utah Wild Sheep Foundation has done an excellent job with keeping bighorn sheep on the mountains in Utah. We would love to share some interesting facts about bighorn sheep and why they are near and dear to our hearts!
Interesting Facts About Bighorn Sheep
What types of environments do bighorn sheep live in? How heavy are bighorn sheep’s horns? Learn about this and more below!
1. Bighorn Sheep are Making a Comeback in Utah
Once a dwindling population, bighorn sheep have made a comeback. In 1975, Utah’s population numbered around 1,000 sheep. Biologists began relocating bighorns from a native population in the early 1980s, in Canyonlands National Park in order to establish new herds. Now we have around 4,500-5,000 Utah Bighorn Sheep roaming the mountains.
2. These Sheep Can Jump
Equipped with split hooves with rough bottoms that aid in balance and natural grip, their short legs are perfect for bounding. They can jump large distances and navigate impossible narrow ledges. These attributes, along with keen vision, help them move easily about rocky, rugged mountain terrain (avoiding predators along the way).
3. Harsh Environments are preferred
Bighorn sheep thrive in harsh environments and high altitudes. In fact, they live in some of the most rugged climates in North America. While they typically like to hang above 10,000 feet, visitors have the best chance of seeing Bighorn Sheep during their “rut” season in mid November and December and December when they move into their winter range at lower elevations.
4. Their Horns Are Heavy
One of the most recognizable features of a Bighorn Sheep is the ram’s large horns (which can weigh up to 30 pounds). There are two parts to their horns, a sheath overlying a bony core filled with blood vessels. This helps the sheep to regulate their body temperatures as the climate changes.
5. Males & Females Don’t Live Together
Bighorns live in social groups, bur rams and ewes (females) typically meet only to mate. Rams live in bachelor groups and females live in herds with other females and their young. Females have responsibilities within the herd such as the babysitter, guardian, and the herd leader. Male-only herds usually contain 5-50 rams at one time. Females have 5-100 members.
6. The Spread Of Disease Is Common
As hearty as bighorn sheep may be, they are incredibly susceptible to the spread of disease, especially from domestic sheep.
7. Lifespan & Subspecies
There are three subspecies for bighorn sheep, occupying separate geographical areas: the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep; the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, and the desert bighorn sheep. The lifespan of rams is typically 9-12 years, and 10-14 years for ewes. The males can reach lengths over a meter (3.3 feet) and weigh up to 14 kilograms (30 pounds). Females do have horns, but they are shorter with less curvature.
8. Amazing Balance
Bighorn sheep have amazing balance, they can stand on ledges that are only 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide.
9. Bighorn Sheep Munch on Brush
Bighorn sheep eat different foods depending on the season. During the summer, they subsist on grasses or sedges. During the winter they eat more woody plants, such as willow, sage and rabbit brush. Desert bighorn sheep eat brushy plants such as a desert holly and desert cactus.
10. Utah Game Hunting Season
Desert bighorn sheep hunting is from September 14th-November 10th, Rocky Mountain bighorn.
More Information
The purpose of Utah WSF is to promote and enhance increasing populations of indigenous wild sheep to Utah, to safeguard against the decline or extinction of such species, and to fund programs for professional management of these populations, keeping all administrative costs to a minimum. We are vigorously involved in the conservation, propagation, and intensive management of the remaining wild sheep populations and their habitats.