Bighorn sheep

Bighorn sheep
	Male (ram)
	Female (ewe)
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Bovidae
Subfamily:	Caprinae
Genus:	Ovis
Binomial name
	Ovis canadensis;

The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is a species of sheep.^[1] They live in North America. Their name was given to them because of their large horns. Their horns can weigh up to 30 pounds (14 kg). However, the sheep themselves weigh up to 300 pounds (140 kg). In a genetic testing, it was found that there are three subspecies of bighorn sheep, one of which, is endangered (Ovis canadensis sierrae).

The bighorn sheep came from Siberia. They crossed to North America over the Bering land bridge. The population grew in the millions. It then became one of many mythologies of the Native Americans. By 1900, the population got smaller to several thousands. Many organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, has helped increase the population.

ReferencesEdit

↑ Allen J.A. 1912. [1] Historical and nomenclatorial notes on North American sheep. Bulletin of the AMNH v. 31, article 1

Other websitesEdit

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Species Profile
Greater Yellowstone Resource Guide - Bighorn Sheep
Desert Bighorn Sheep Facts California Department of Fish and Game

This short article can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.

[1] Allen J.A. 1912. [1] Historical and nomenclatorial notes on North American sheep. Bulletin of the AMNH v. 31, article 1

[1]