Overview
A thin-haired desert race with a short black ruff on the lower neck and breast. There is no bib. The summer coat is straw-brown, turning darker brown with a narrow white saddle patch in winter. (Nasonov, in his 1909 description, indicated a dark shoulder band in the winter coat; however, few males actually have such a marking.) The horns are homonymous and have a flat frontal surface with sharp edges.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Ovis
- Species
- Mouflon, gmelini
Habitat
Grassy slopes below the timberline. They rarely move to the rocky areas of the mountains.
Diet
Primarily grazes but will browse when necessary. Typically feeding in the early morning and evening.
Behavior
They are a gregarious animal and the herds they form are non-territorial. You can find them resting during the day under and between rocks and shade trees where they can stay well hidden. Mating season lasts from late November to early December with females giving usually giving birth to one single lamb after a 5-6 month gestation.
Hunting
The season usually run from the first of October to the end of February. Good physical condition is essential for the hunter. Horses may be available in some camps.
Conservation Status
This animal is susceptable to threats of many kinds due to the limited size of its range. Continued protection and research must be provided to ensure the survival of this animal.