Bighorn Sheep by Jack Ballard

Author:Jack Ballard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FalconGuides
Publisher: Falcon Guides
Published: 2014-08-20T16:00:00+00:00

The physical traits of wild hoofed mammals are remarkably adapted to the habitats in which they live, including specialized abilities that help them escape predators. Pronghorn are exceptionally fleet of foot, so fast that no predator on the North American continent can match their speed in a chase. Moose have excellent hearing and can trot at high speeds through forests and over obstacles, which makes it difficult for would-be predators to catch them.

Bighorn sheep have neither the speed of the pronghorn nor the hearing of a moose. Nonetheless, they are extremely adept at eluding predators in the steep, rocky places they inhabit. The muscles on the hindquarters of a bighorn sheep are very developed. These muscles propel them in powerful leaps that may take them from ledge to ledge on a vertical rock face or in a quick dash from a grassy area to a jumble of stones. The relatively short, blocky bodies of bighorns aren’t built for speed in the open country. Some historical accounts indicate bighorns caught in the open could be easily overtaken by a pack of dogs or run down by a rider on horseback. However, when it comes to running up or down steep slopes, bighorns are very fast and agile.

The ability of bighorns to traverse seemingly impossible terrain is legendary. They are sometimes observed on cliff ledges or rocky promontories where it seems impossible to stand. However, bighorns have several physical adaptations that permit such abilities. First, their bodies are very strong and compact, allowing them to brace against the forces of gravity and maneuver in places creatures with larger limbs or bodies find it impossible to follow. Bighorns also possess hooves that lend them extremely efficient gripping ability on slick or steep rocks. The cloven hooves of bighorns consist of two digits that can move independently of each other. A spongy portion is found on the rear of each part of the hoof with a rubbery outer covering, yielding a substance that provides the bighorn with outstanding traction on hard, slippery surfaces. The front hooves of bighorns are slightly larger than the rear hooves, a characteristic thought to aid their exceptional climbing ability. Although bighorn sheep sometimes slip and fall from cliffs, occasionally sustaining serious or fatal injuries, these occurrences appear to be quite rare, indicating bighorns also possess an uncanny sense of balance and precision of movement in constrained space.

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