Overview
It is the smallest of the argali subspecies. Morphologically, this sheep is intermediate between the urials and argalis, as it exhibits characteristics of both. Winter coat is dark brown above, slightly paler on the neck, and grayish-brown on flanks and tail. The head is darker than the neck. Rump patch, belly and muzzle are white. Lower legs are dirty white except for dark, reddish-brown stripes on the fronts. The white neck ruff is short (one inch, or 2.5 cm) and tinged with gray. 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.
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 record horns were taken by explorer and naturalist Douglas Carruthers in 1908 and now are part of the International Collection of Heads and Horns in the International Wildlife Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
Conservation Status
More information is needed.