MOUNTAIN SEEEP 



Immature similar to ewes. 



Measurements. — Rams much larger than ewes. Rams, 

 total length, 60-70 inches; tail vertebrae, 5 inches; hind foot, 

 15-16 inches; height at shoulder, 38-42 inches; weight, 200- 

 300 pounds for old animals; horns measure along front curve, 



Fig. 119. Mountain Sheep 



up to 49 inches {Rowland Ward's Records of Big Game, 1922) 

 as the largest recorded, but anything over 40 inches is very 

 good. 



Ewes. — Total length, 54-60 inches; tail vertebras, 4.75-5 

 inches; hind foot, 15.5 inches; weight, 125-175 pounds. 



Geographical Distribution.' — Mountainous sections west 

 of looth meridian from Mexico north to Arctic Circle. 

 Detailed ranges given under list of species and subspecies. 



Food. — Vegetation such as grass, tender plants and wild 

 flowers, and some browse. 



Enemies. — Cougars, Wolves, Lynx, and Eagles (lambs 

 only). 



Species and Subspecies of the Genus Ovis 



The classification of the Mountain Sheep is not in a very 

 satisfactory condition. Many names exist and much splitting 

 up of forms has taken place. It is not likely that there are as 



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