Dall Sheep

Real world cliff hangers, Dall sheep inhabit some of Alaska’s most rugged alpine areas. They thrive on the wind-swept exposed cliffs and peaks of mountains in central and northern Alaska. This subspecies of sheep is found only in Alaska and western Canada. Dall sheep weigh an average of 130 pounds and have white fur. Their winter coats can be up to two inches thick with coarse outer hairs covering a coat of fine wool. Rams have large horns that form a characteristic curl while females, called ewes, have smaller horns.

In Depth

Dall Sheep Morphology

Dall sheep stand about three feet high at the shoulder. They are off-white in color, and their coat consists of a fine wool undercoat and stiff, long, and hollow guard hairs. Their winter coats can be over two inches thick. Dall’s sheep can live to be 12 to 16 years of age.

Dall sheep are sexually dimorphic, which means rams and ewes look different. Rams are larger than ewes and typically weigh between 160 and 180 pounds at maturity. Ewes weigh approximately 100 to 110 pounds on average. During the winter, adult sheep may lose up to 16% of their body mass, and lambs and yearlings as much as 40% depending on winter weather severity. Dall sheep begin growing horns at about two months old. Ewes have small, slender horns compared to the massive, curling horns of rams. Young rams resemble ewes until they are about 3 years of age. At this point, their horns begin to grow much faster and larger than ewes' horns.

Alpine Plant Communities

Dall sheep occupy wind-swept areas where snow cover is low or non-existent. They feed on grasses, sedges, forbs, lichens, and mosses, and consume a greater diversity of plant species in summer than in winter. Dall sheep will also seek out mineral licks of high calcium-phosphate or calcium-magnesium concentrations.

Predators of Dall Sheep

All living things are part of the circle of life. Just as Dall sheep eat plants, other animals depend on the sheep for food. Wolves, coyotes, bears, wolverines and lynx prey on sheep, and golden eagles also prey on lambs.

Dall Sheep Range and Movement

Dall sheep are typically loyal to the small ranges they occupy, and their limited migration is based on snow depth, temperature, and plant availability. Some Dall sheep move very little, but others occupy distinct seasonal ranges within a 20 to 60 square mile home range. Movements and use areas are considerably smaller in winter than in summer due to snow cover.

Current IUCN Listing: Least Concern


For more information, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game