Alaska’s Dall Sheep Alaska’s Dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) are found in relatively dry alpine country and frequent a special combination of open ridges, meadows and steep slopes with extremely rugged “escape terrain” in the immediate vicinity. Generally known to be high-country animals, they also sometimes occur in rocky gorges below timberline. Rams, distinguished by massive curling horns, usually weigh less than 300 pounds, while ewes, with shorter, more slender, slightly curved horns, typically reach only half that size. As the remoteness of their habitat and its unsuitability for human use does much to protect the species, Dall sheep in Alaska are generally in good population health, even though low birth rates, predation (primarily by wolves, coyotes, and eagles), and a difficult environment tend to keep growth rates lower than for many other big-game species. However, their adaptation to the alpine environment seems to serve them well. They have survived for thousands of years
Post: 4 November 10:14
