Overview
It is similar to Karelini argali subspecies in body size with minor skull and horn differences. Coloration is dark brown above, separated from the white belly by a dark flank band. There is a creamy white neck ruff that blends into the darker body hair, and a distinct white rump patch that does not extend above the root of the tail, which is long, and has a dark tip. Dark stripes run down the front of the hind legs, but not always down the front legs. The head is darker than the neck, with a dark facial mask. Horns are angular in cross section at the base, and those of old males have a well-developed frontal-orbital edge. They have relatively long legs.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Ovis
- Species
- Argali, ammon
Habitat
Argali inhabit high altitude regions as a rule of thumb. This sheep is known to occupy lower, more arid country than most other argali. Habitat varies according to geographic location, but includes mountains, steppe valleys and rocky outcrops and open desert.
Diet
Argali eat 35–42 lb (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
Local horses are easy to handle and well adapted to high altitudes. Travel on horseback enables one to cover longer distances, with less physical pain, in search of the perfect ram. Limited number of licenses a year are issued for Karaganda. Littledale and Karatau Argali licenses are issued extremely rarely, not necessarily every year and often in single numbers.
Conservation Status
A population estimate by the Kazakhstan National Academy of Sciences (Plakhov & Baidavletov) after extensive surveys from 1985 to 1992 reported 10,000 animals, and an overall increasing population. This animal appears to be well-managed.