BIGHORN SHEEP (Ovis canadensis)

Bighorn sheep are found in rugged, mountainous regions from south-west Canada down to California, Arizona and New Mexico in the southwestern USA. The desert forms of this species are found near the high crags and cliffs of the mountain ranges surrounding the desert regions, feeding on dryland grasses and other plants. Their inaccessible habitats protect them from predators, and they are seldom seen by humans. Their common name refers to the large horns of the males, which after 7-8 years may form a completely curl. But often the horns are broken during contests between the males or scraping against rocks. The females have shorter horns.

Human encroachment into desert regions, and the introduction of other grazing animals, has caused bighorn numbers to decline in several areas, but there are active reintroduction programmes.

The images were taken in an enclosure at the Sonoran Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona