Bighorn Sheep

Ovis canadensis (species), “Mountain Sheep”, “American Bighorn Sheep”

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The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is a species of sheep native to North America. It is named for its large horns. A pair of horns might weigh up to 14 kg (30 lb); the sheep typically weigh up to 143 kg (315 lb). Recent genetic testing indicates three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: O. c. sierrae. Sheep originally crossed to North America over the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia; the population in North America peaked in the millions, and the bighorn sheep entered into the mythology of Native Americans. By 1900, the population had crashed to several thousand, due to diseases introduced through European livestock and overhunting.

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Bighorn Sheep Killed by YNP Cougar

F 222 cougar-killed bighorn sheep, Jacob W. Frank (NPS) two photographs above. The “F222” refers to a specific cougar (mountain lion) that Yellowstone National Park scientists are studying. Additional cougar information is at yellowstone.org/yellowstone-cougar-project