Dick-horn-sheep lived very in large numbers in North America once. Today, they only occur in several subtypes in smaller continuances of Canada's southwest as far as to Mexico.
Shape The withers-height of the Dick-horn-sheep amounts to up to 105 cm, the weight up to 135 kg. It is narrow relative with the Eurasian game-sheep, lets itself cruise without restriction fertile with them and therefore agrees in all essential physical characteristics also with these. It actually therefore is only one subtype of the game-sheep (Ovis ammon). The clearest difference consists of the horn-form. The horns of the Dick-horn-sheep are especially thick at the basis. they are the big game-sheep-races shorter than this.
Habitat Dick-horn-sheep live in rock-regions above the timberline as far as at the edge of the glaciers, but also in Nevada's hot deserts.
Way of life The herds include up to 50 females and young. Adult males live individually or in bachelor-associations.
Reproduction In November, the Brunft begins. Rival-fights are had between approximately equally-strong males. After type of the game-sheep, the Aries with the horns clash. Young Aries are treated by the older like females, they are therefore not attacked.
The Tragzeit amounts to approximately 180 days. The lambs are placed in May. Already in the age of one week, they follow its mothers. With 11/2 years, Dick-horn-sheep are reproductive-capable.
Food Dick-horn-sheep äsen grass, foliage, lichens and fruits. In Alaska, they live also from polar-pastures.
Endangering Apart, the Dick-horn-sheep is not directly endangered by the squander-living populations. It is subject to the protection of the Washingtoner Artenschutzübereinkommens.
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