Bighorn Sheep

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensis

The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep are well adapted to their habitat with keen hearing, a highly developed sense of smell, and sharp eyesight to detect danger such as coyotes, mountain lions, and golden eagles if it is a lamb. Their specialized split hooves are soft and flexible inside with rough bottoms that aid in balance and grip. The horns of a male can weigh up to 14 kg (30 lbs) and are key in confrontations and fights for the right of mating. Clashes may last hours as their thick, bony skull helps prevent serious injury. Around the early part of the twentieth century, the population of bighorn sheep in Rocky Mountain National Park declined rapidly as settlers and hunters arrived. With the addition of disease introduced by domestic sheep and habitat alterations from ranchers, estimates put the population at near 150 bighorn by the middle of the century. This small population survived in isolated areas where range and human contact was very limited. Through the introduction of new herds, the native herds have grown and estimates currently put their number to 600 bighorn sheep within the park.

The missing patch of fur is likely an indication that this particular bighorn survived a brush with death only days earlier.