Wild - Sheep

( Ovis canadensis ): North America's most iconic wild sheep, found from Canada down to Mexico. They are known for their massive, curved horns that can weigh as much as all the other bones in their body combined.

: Their horizontal pupils give them a wide field of view, helping them spot predators like wolves and mountain lions even while they are grazing. Social Behaviour and the "Rut" wild sheep

( Ovis orientalis ): Native to the Caspian region and Europe, these are thought to be the direct ancestors of modern domestic sheep. Key Physical Adaptations ( Ovis canadensis ): North America's most iconic

: Their hooves are split and have rough, rubbery bottoms that act like suction cups, allowing them to scale near-vertical cliffs to escape predators. Social Behaviour and the "Rut" ( Ovis orientalis

( Ovis dalli ): Known for their stunning white coats, these inhabit the subarctic mountain ranges of Alaska and northwest Canada.

Wild sheep are highly social but often live in separate groups: ewes and lambs in "nursery herds," and rams in "bachelor groups".During the autumn mating season, known as the , rams compete for dominance through head-butting battles. They can charge at each other at speeds up to 40 mph, with the impact sound audible from over a mile away. Their skulls are double-layered and reinforced with bone to absorb these massive shocks. Conservation Status

: You can estimate a wild sheep's age by counting the rings on its horns, much like a tree. These rings form annually during the winter when horn growth slows down.