Bighorn Sheep
These horns are nothing short of iconic. We are home to a herd of male and female bighorn sheep.
Rugged good looks in a rugged landscape
With their brown hair, bighorn sheep can often blend into the landscape as they roam through pastures, but one look at their horns is enough to distinguish them. Both males and females have curving horns, but a male’s are enormous, weighing up to 13 kilograms and showing off his status. As relatives of goats, bighorn sheep easily navigate rocky terrains with their cloven hooves that have rough pads for grip.
- IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (at relatively low risk of extinction)
- Type: Mammal
- Habitat: Mountain regions of western North America
- Diet: Herbivore – grasses, plants, and shrubs
- Size: 1.5 to 1.8 metres long, 0.9 metres at the shoulder
- Weight: 52 to 126 kilograms
Facts About Our Animals
Fun Facts about Bighorn Sheep
A male bighorn sheep’s horns can weigh more than all the bones in his body.
A bighorn sheep can run at speeds up to 48 kilometres per hour.
Lambs can walk just hours after being born.
Males (rams) live in bachelor groups while females (ewes) live with their young until they come together at mating season.
Males will ram their horns against each other to fight for dominance and mating rights.
Bighorn sheep eat their food and regurgitate it to chew it as cud before finally swallowing and digesting it.
Donate
How you can help
Your donation makes a world of difference. With support for animal care, conservation programs, and education, you’re making the world wilder.
Meet Our Animals
Wild Canada
Plan Your Visit
Get close to wildlife
It’s time to make some memories. Here’s everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable day at the zoo.