BIGHORN SHEEP

The Bighorn Sheep lives in the Rocky Mountains that spread all the way from Canada, south of the United States to northern of Mexico.  Its curvy horns weight 15 kg approx. and those of the males can reach up to 1 mts long and the female´s are smaller and less curvy. Horns indicate the age, health and fighting technique of each bighorn individual. They have a bright brown fur and a short tail with a white spot.

They live in small groups in a desert habitat where they obtain water from the plants they feed on, although they can spend up to 6 months without drinking water. Females with offspring, however, do need to have access to water regularly.

Currently the Bighorn Sheep situation is delicate due to excessive hunting, the destruction of their habitat and diseases transmitted by domesticated animals. There are a number of wildlife protection programs that focus on recuperate some of the lost population.  In Mexico the Bighorn Sheep survival and conservation is of critical importance.

On Ruta 1, it is possible to make a detour and watch Bighorn Sheep around the “Volcan de las Tres Virgenes” area inside El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve.  Either for one-day tours or multi day expeditions, it is necessary to hire the services of an authorized guide and tour operator at the Ejido Bonfil.