Bighorn Sheep, Nelson's

Physical Features

The Nelson's Bighorn Sheep is listed as an endangered species. It was previously classified as a Dessert Bighorn but now considered a unique subspecies. The massive curled horns of the males distinguish Bighorn's easily from other dessert animals. Both males and females have horns, but those of the male are considerably larger and more curled. A full curl, which can measure over 30 inches from base to tip, takes seven to eight years to grow. Their horns can weigh up to 30 pounds (14 kg), while the sheep themselves weigh up to 300 pounds (140 kg). Rams weigh between 63.50 kg /140 pounds and 99.79 kg/ 220 pounds and over, while Ewes weigh between 34.02 kg / 75 pounds and 58.96 kg /130 pounds. Nelson's Bighorn Sheep range in color from light brown to grayish or dark, chocolate brown, with a white rump and lining on the back of all four legs. Their ability to traverse rocky terrain helps them to escape predators.

Habitat

Due to the need to escape from preying animals, Nelson's Desert Bighorn sheep prefer living in arid areas with sparse plant cover, such as the desert mountain ranges of North America. These ranges offer steep slopes, with lots of rock and a minimal shrub cover. Nelson's bighorn sheep in the San Gabriel Mountains can be found at the Summit of Mount San Antonio, at heights of 914.4m to 3067.507 m / 3,000-10,064 feet. In winter and spring, they can be found mainly in escarpment shrubland or heathland communities in the lower canyons at 914.4 to 1828.8 m / 3,000 to 6,000 feet. The Nelson's Bighorn Sheep ranges from California through Arizona.

Diet

The main diet of Nelson's Bighorn Sheep is composed of sedge, juicy grasses and small alpine forbs. In drier environments, this diet is often substituted by browse.

Meat

The meat of the Nelson's Bighorn Sheep generally tastes like mutton. 

Behavior

Nelson's Bighorn Sheep follow a habitual pattern of feeding at dawn, at noon, and again in the evening. They are ruminants and normally chew their cud in lying position, and sleep in the evening In order to limit the risk of encounter with preying animals, Bighorns do not linger at waterholes, preferring to visit once in three days in the summer minimizing their exposure to predators. Nelson's Bighorn Sheep usually start breeding in November, which coincides with the rutting season. During the height of the rutting period, mature rams make movements up to 2.5 miles in search of ewes. Ewes gestate for six months and give birth towards the end of April and up to early July. Ewes give birth to a single lamb, but twins are occasionally born. Ewes maintain solitude with their lambs at high altitude for the first few weeks after birth, and later join “nursery groups”, weaning their lambs between one and seven months old. Juveniles remain with the ewes until they reach sexual maturity. Rams are become sexually mature at 6 months of age. The Nelson Bighorn Sheep's lifespan is estimated at between 10 and 15 years.

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