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Big horned sheep by Shamarke
The Canadian population of this stocky muscular animal is restricted now to western Alberta and southern British Columbia.
The bighorn sheep has tan or brown fur. It has a white belly, rump and muzzle. It is best known for its large horns. The rams or males have large, thick curving horns. The ewe's or female's horns are more slender and less curved. Males weigh between 125-300 pounds; females weigh between 75-200 pounds.
The bighorn is a good climber and jumper. Its hooves are hard around the outside and soft on the inside, which help give them traction on slippery rocks. Sometimes when a group of bighorn sheep is threatened by a predator like the wolf, they will group together in a circle and face out towards the predator.