Overview
Large and spectacular horns can result from carefully managed crosses. Usually these animals are hybrids of European mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon) and domestic sheep (O. aries). The latter is commonly the Barbados black-bellied, a haired (non-woolly) sheep from West Africa via the West Indies. However, other species of wild sheep and other domestic breeds are sometimes part of the mix. Mouflons have been crossed with argalis, bighorns and-reportedly-Dall sheep, resulting in a great variety in coloration, body size, horn size and horn configuration. Color phases have also been developed, the white Texas Dall and black Hawaiian ram being examples.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Ovis
- Species
- Domestic hybrid sheep, Ovis aries x Ovis ssp.
Habitat
Distribution- free-ranging in parts of California and Hawaii. Also on private properties in Texas and elsewhere.
Diet
Adaptable to grazing and browsing, depending on region.
Behavior
Tend to be gregarious.
Hunting
It can be hunted throughout the year, and with any method that is legal in the particular area being hunted.
Conservation Status
This hybrid sheep is of least concern for conservation purposes. It is thriving in most ranges in which it has been introduced.