Last updated: January 31, 2017
Article
Desert Bighorn Sheep
![Silhouette of a Desert Bighorn sheep/ A silhouette of a Desert Bighorn sheep ram on the rim of the Grand Canyon.](/articles/images/Big_Horn_Sheep_Gerald_Allen_Buckman_Oct2015.jpg?maxwidth=1300&maxheight=1300&autorotate=false)
NPS Photo/ Gerald Allen Buckman
![Desert Bighorn sheep lamb A desert bighorn sheep lamb stands among the cactus.](/articles/images/Lamb-Banner-Robb_1.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
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).
![Ewe and ram in Grand Canyon A male and female Deserst Bighorn sheep walk single file on a canyon ledge.](/articles/images/Bighorn_Banner_4.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
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.