Mouflons are wild sheep. They are found in many parts of the world. Domestication of mouflons began 7000-11000 years ago in the Southwest regions of Asia. The wild sheep population is declining. People hunt for characteristic horns.
Body and fur
Long, slender legs are adorned with a vertical black line under the knees. The belly is white. The fur is composed of long, coarse fibers. The color ranges from gray with reddish to brown and coffee shades. In European mouflons, males are dark brown, females are beige.
Horns
Males have large horns about 60 cm long, spiral or curved above their heads. Females have no horns – the main sexual dimorphism.
Life span
In nature, the life expectancy of males is from 8 to 10 years, of females – from 10 to 12 years. In captivity, mouflons live up to 20 years.
Classification of mouflon sheep species by area
Biologists argue over the classification of species. Some argue that mouflon is a subspecies of sheep. Others consider it an independent species, the progenitor of domesticated sheep. The scientific publication Species of Mammals of the World classifies mouflons into subspecies based on their range and characteristics:
- Armenian (Armenian red sheep) lives in Northwestern Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan. Also brought to Texas, USA;
- European is found in many parts of Europe;
- the mountainous Iranian lives in the Zagros mountains in Iran;
- Cypriot is almost extinct, several individuals have been seen in Cyprus;
- Desert Iranian lives in the south of Iran.
Habitat
These sheep are found in:
- mountain forests;
- deserts;
- pastures with thorny bushes;
- desert or dune savannas;
- mountains with bushes.
Behavior
Mouflons are shy animals. They go out for food in the evening or early in the morning. They also won’t stay in one place for long.
During the day, they rest under overhanging bushes or stones, choose a safe shelter that protects from predators.
Mouflons spend their time on the move and grazing in non-territorial herds. They have a highly developed herd instinct, and they huddle in large groups of up to 1000 or more individuals. Can establish close personal ties. They experience stress if they are separated, looking for, calling and hitting the ground with their hoof.
The diet
Like domestic sheep, mouflons graze on grasses. They eat leaves, fruits from shrubs and trees if there is not enough grass in the habitat.
Mating and breeding season
Representatives of different sexes live in separate groups and are found only during the mating season. The estrous cycle of the female occurs in late September and early October. The gestation period is five to six months. One or two lambs are born in March.
During the struggle for the sheep, the dominance of the ram determines the age and size of the horns. During the battle, the challengers collide with their foreheads, beat the opponent with their horns to show dominance.
It only takes a newborn young animal a few minutes to get back on its feet. The mother takes care of the lambs until they are ready to feed on their own. Young mouflons reach puberty at about two to three years of age. Males are capable of breeding after they are four years old.
Features of the body for survival in nature
The stomach of the mouflon is multi-chambered. It is home to microorganisms that destroy the fiber present in the cell walls of fibrous plant matter. Mouflons eat tough grass and digest it easily.
The sense organs of these animals are extremely developed. They detect approaching predators by ear and quickly run away from them.
Natural enemies of mouflons
Sheep are hunted by bears and wolves, which are gradually disappearing into nature. Foxes, eagles and leopards pose a threat depending on the mouflon subspecies. But, of course, the main enemy is man. Conservation measures are designed to preserve and increase the population of these beautiful creatures.
Mouflon video
