Barbary Sheep
Facts
Also known as: Aoudad, Waddan, Arui, Arruis
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Location: North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Northern Chad, Egypt, Libya, Northern Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan).
Lifespan:
Also known as: Aoudad, Waddan, Arui, Arruis
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Location: North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Northern Chad, Egypt, Libya, Northern Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan).
Lifespan:
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammal
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Caprinae
Genus: Ammotragus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammal
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Caprinae
Genus: Ammotragus
Description
Height: 80 to 100 cm (2.6 to 3.3 ft)
Weight: 40 to 140 kg (88 to 310 lbs)
Length of horns: Up to 50 cm (20 in)
Jumping Height: 2 m (7 ft)
Other: They are a sandy-brown color, darkening with age, with a slightly lighter underbelly and a darker line along the back. Upper parts and the outer parts of the legs are a uniform reddish-brown or grayish-brown. There is some shaggy hair on the throat (extending down to the chest in males) and a sparse mane. Their horns have a triangular cross section. The horns curve outwards, backwards then inwards. The horns are smooth, but wrinkled at the base.
Height: 80 to 100 cm (2.6 to 3.3 ft)
Weight: 40 to 140 kg (88 to 310 lbs)
Length of horns: Up to 50 cm (20 in)
Jumping Height: 2 m (7 ft)
Other: They are a sandy-brown color, darkening with age, with a slightly lighter underbelly and a darker line along the back. Upper parts and the outer parts of the legs are a uniform reddish-brown or grayish-brown. There is some shaggy hair on the throat (extending down to the chest in males) and a sparse mane. Their horns have a triangular cross section. The horns curve outwards, backwards then inwards. The horns are smooth, but wrinkled at the base.
Behaviour
Barbary Sheep are very gregarious, and freeze in the presence of danger, probably in order to happen unnoticed to predators. Barbary sheep are excellent, sure-footed jumpers and climbers. Their heavy horns help them with balance. They have an exceptional ability to hide by remaining motionless when threatened.
Barbary Sheep are very gregarious, and freeze in the presence of danger, probably in order to happen unnoticed to predators. Barbary sheep are excellent, sure-footed jumpers and climbers. Their heavy horns help them with balance. They have an exceptional ability to hide by remaining motionless when threatened.
Predators or Prey?
The Barbary Sheep's main predators in North Africa were the Barbary leopard, the Barbary lion and caracal, but nowadays only humans threaten their populations.
The Barbary Sheep's main predators in North Africa were the Barbary leopard, the Barbary lion and caracal, but nowadays only humans threaten their populations.
Diet
Barbary sheep eat grass, herbaceous plants and stunted bushes. They can get sufficient water from vegetation, dew on leaves during cold desert nights and “respiration water”, meaning they do not need to drink.
Barbary sheep eat grass, herbaceous plants and stunted bushes. They can get sufficient water from vegetation, dew on leaves during cold desert nights and “respiration water”, meaning they do not need to drink.
Habitat
The Barbary Sheep is native to the rocky mountains in North Africa. The Barbary Sheep has been introduced by humans to North America, Southern Europe, and elsewhere. Barbary Sheep are found in arid mountainous areas where they graze and browse grass, bushes and lichens. They are able to obtain all their moisture from food, but if liquid water is available they drink it and wallow in it. Barbary Sheep are crepuscular: active in the early morning and late afternoon and resting in the heat of the day.
The Barbary Sheep is native to the rocky mountains in North Africa. The Barbary Sheep has been introduced by humans to North America, Southern Europe, and elsewhere. Barbary Sheep are found in arid mountainous areas where they graze and browse grass, bushes and lichens. They are able to obtain all their moisture from food, but if liquid water is available they drink it and wallow in it. Barbary Sheep are crepuscular: active in the early morning and late afternoon and resting in the heat of the day.
Conservation
Barbary sheep populations have declined drastically over much of their native range due to hunting for their skins, meat, and sinew. In some areas where Barbary sheep have been introduced, there is concern that they may compete with the native fauna.
Barbary sheep populations have declined drastically over much of their native range due to hunting for their skins, meat, and sinew. In some areas where Barbary sheep have been introduced, there is concern that they may compete with the native fauna.
Reproduction
Although breeding can occur throughout the year, the main rutting season is from September to November. After a gestation period of 160 days, the female gives birth to 1-3 kids, which are weaned at 3-4 months and will reach sexual maturity after 18 months. A female may give birth twice per year.
Although breeding can occur throughout the year, the main rutting season is from September to November. After a gestation period of 160 days, the female gives birth to 1-3 kids, which are weaned at 3-4 months and will reach sexual maturity after 18 months. A female may give birth twice per year.
