Desert Bighorn Sheep

NPS Photo/ Gerald Allen Buckman

A lamb forages among the cacti.

NPS Photo/ Robb Hannawacker

Scientific Name

Ovis canadensis nelsoni

Identification

• Muscular body with chocolate brown fur. They have white fur around the muzzle, rump, and belly.
• Rams (males) have large curved horns, while females (ewes) have short horns with only slight curvature.
• Desert bighorn are the largest native animal in the park, with rams weighing up to 250 lbs (113 kg).

A ram is followed by a ewe in the Grand Canyon.

NPS Photo

Habitat

• The unique landscape found in Grand Canyon is excellent habitat that provides remote refuges for these animals.
• They are commonly seen on steep terrain and cliffs.
• They live throughout the American Southwest, including Grand Canyon, Mojave Desert, and Sonoran Desert. The population of desert bighorn sheep in Grand Canyon is a naturally persisting population without direct transplants of bigorns from other areas.

NPS Photo

Behavior

• Desert Bighorn sheep are highly adapted for desert climates and can go for extended periods without drinking.
• They are social animals and form herds that are usually 8–10 sheep. Herds as large as 20 sheep have been seen along the Colorado River through Grand Canyon.
• Rams battle to become the dominant animal in a herd, charging head on at each other with their horns until one ram retreats.

Prepared by Matthew M. Safford, Wildlife Technician, Grand Canyon National Park, 2015.