Overview
It it similar to polii in body size, but its horns are shorter and heavier. It it similar to polii in coloration and the horns have less flare. A large, long-legged, light-boned argali with the most spectacular horns of all the world's sheep. The summer coat is a light, speckled brown, with the face, chest, underparts, rump patch and legs white. In winter, the upper parts are a somewhat darker brown and there is a full white neck ruff extending to the brisket. The winter hair is much longer, making the animal appear larger and heavier than it is. The long, slender horns are homonymous, forming 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 open spirals, and triangular in cross section with a sharp orbital-nuchal edge. Relatively long legs.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Ovis
- Species
- Argali, ammon
Habitat
Argali inhabit higher elevations. Habitat varies according to geographic location, but includes mountains, steppe valleys and rocky outcrops and open desert. More arid and barren than that of most other sheep ground. Usually at altitudes of 15,000-19,000 ft (4,600-5,800 m). Rarely below 10,000 ft (3,000 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
The GSC/Ovis trophy classification committee has recently decided (January 2003) to officially recognize the Hume argali. Of course, this argali is importable into the U.S. as a Marco Polo. The majority of hunting in Kyrgyzstan is now done within the boundary we have established for the Hume argali. However, Kyrgyzstan hunt operators may begin offering hunts in the near future within the boundaries of the Marco Polo.
Conservation Status
More information is needed.