The Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) found in southwestern California, is a subspecies of the North American desert bighorn sheep that occupies the rocky and arid Mojave and Senoran deserts of the American southwest and northern Mexico.
Desert bighorn sheep, male ram. The desert bighorn sheep occupies dry, rocky mountain ranges in the Mojave and Sonoran desert regions of California, Nevada and Mexico. The desert bighorn sheep is highly endangered in the United States, having a population of only about 4000 individuals, and is under survival pressure due to habitat loss, disease, over-hunting, competition with livestock, and human encroachment.
Image ID: 14651
Species: Desert bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis nelsoni
Desert bighorn sheep, male ram. The desert bighorn sheep occupies dry, rocky mountain ranges in the Mojave and Sonoran desert regions of California, Nevada and Mexico. The desert bighorn sheep is highly endangered in the United States, having a population of only about 4000 individuals, and is under survival pressure due to habitat loss, disease, over-hunting, competition with livestock, and human encroachment.
Image ID: 14653
Species: Desert bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis nelsoni
The desert bighorn sheep prefers steep, rocky mountainsides that afford them a view with which to view approaching predators, for their eyesight is excellent. They are hardy animals that can survive without water during the winter, provided there is green vegetation to be found. Male desert bighorn sheep (rams) have huge spiraling horns, used to batter other rams during courtship and mating contests over access to females (ewes).
