Overview
They have relatively long legs. Females are considerably smaller, sometimes weighing less than half as much as males.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Ovis
- Species
- Argali, ammon
- Subspecies
- Altay argali, Gobi argali, Karaganda argali, Marco Polo argali, Tian Shan argali, Kara Tau argali, North China argali, Tibetan argali, Severtzov argali
Habitat
Argali inhabit higher elevations. Habitat varies according to geographic location, but includes mountains, steppe valleys and rocky outcrops and open desert. Open, rolling plateau country at altitudes of 12,000-15,000 feet (3,600-4,600 m).
Diet
Argali eat 35-42 lbs (16–19 kg) of food a day. The vegetation preferred by the species varies based on elevation and area. In higher elevations, they predominantly eat grasses, sedges, and forbs. At midelevation habitats, they more regularly feed on bushes and mesophyte grasses. In the lowest ranges and the spurs of deserts, grasses and sedges again predominate, but often of different species than the high-elevation ones. Water is needed by argali, which is rarely a problem for animals living at high elevation, where melting snow and small waterways are regularly encountered. In drier climes, argali may travel several kilometers in search of water. When available, argali readily consume saline soil.
Behavior
Argali live in herds typically numbering up to 150 animals, segregated by sex, except during the breeding season. Some rams are solitary, but most are seen in small herds numbering between up to 30 individuals. Females and their young live in larger groups, regularly up to 90 individuals and sometimes up to 200 animals. Migrating herds, especially those made up of males, have been reported. Most migration appears to be related to seasonally decreased food sources, an overabundance of biting insects (especially gadflies), severe drought or fires, poaching by humans, and competition with domestic livestock. With their long legs, these animals can travel quickly from place to place. Argali tend to live at higher elevations during the summer. These sheep are calm and gregarious with one another. They are fast runners.
Hunting
Arguably the most beautiful and prestigious of all the argali, or giant sheep of Asia, is the Marco Polo argali (Ovis ammon polii). It is found in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan, but may only be hunted in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Conservation Status
Considered Near Threatened by IUCN. Last assessment in 2008.