WILDLIFE IDENTIFICATION

DESERT BIGHORN SHEEPDescription: A medium- to large-hoofed mammal with darkbrown to gray coloring; white rump patch with short darker tail;has two heavy, tapering, curled brown horns in male, smaller andless curled in females.Distribution: Formerly native to the Trans-Pecos region; iscurrently being reintroduced to several Trans-Pecos sites. Studiesprimarily being conducted at Sierra Diablo, Elephant Mountainand Black Gap wildlife management areas near Van Horn,Texas. Currently, only one to several permits for hunting arebeing allowed.Habitat/Habits: Lives in rough, rocky and mountainous terrain;prefers bluffs or steep slopes scattered with ledges of herbaceousplants such as forbs, grasses, brush and cacti and yucca-typeplants and shrubs; limited movement in Texas; livesto 15 years in the wild; is polygamous (breeds withmore than one female); breeds mainly in Novemberand December; males engage in “battles” in whichthey butt heads; normally one small brown lamb.TPWD4 Game Animals