The Making of a Diorama
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Recreating Nature Indoors
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Museum Scientists on Evolution
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Desert bighorn sheep
Ovis canadensis nelsoni (Merriam, 1897)
Scene:
Death Valley National Monument, CaliforniaBackground artist:
Duncan Alanson Spencer (1911-1999)Although not as good at climbing as mountain goats, bighorn sheep zigzag up and down cliff faces with amazing ease. They can perch on ledges only 2 inches wide, and bounce from ledge to ledge over spans as wide as 20 feet. They can move over level ground at 30 miles per hour and scramble up mountain slopes at 15 mph. They also swim freely, despite their massive bulk and the weight of their horns.
Biological Information
Range:
Southeastern California, east of Sierra Nevada
Habitat:
Desert mountains up to 4000 ft
Status:
Threatened
Diet:
Various desert plants, getting most of their water from the vegetation although still visiting water holes every several days
Further information about this species may be found on the Animal Diversity Web page for bighorn sheep.