Argali

Ovis ammon

Size: 1.4–2 m · 43–180 kg
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Diurnal
Sociality: Herd
Lifespan: —

Argali is one of the largest wild sheep, native to high mountain grasslands of Central Asia. Trophy hunting, competition with livestock, and habitat fragmentation are important conservation issues.

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Key facts

Argali (Ovis ammon) is a herbivore animal classified as Mammal · Artiodactyla · Bovidae.
Primary habitats are mountains · grassland · desert, with a range across Palearctic.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is herd, and conservation status is NT (Near Threatened).
Argali is one of the largest wild sheep, native to high mountain grasslands of Central Asia.
It inhabits alpine grasslands, dry mountains, and rocky slopes with open feeding areas.

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It inhabits alpine grasslands, dry mountains, and rocky slopes with open feeding areas. Main habitat types in this guide are mountain, grassland, desert.

Appearance

Typical length 136-200 cm, weight 43 kg-180 kg. Males carry massive curled horns and move with a robust body built for mountains.

Behavior

It is diurnal and a herd-forming species. Herds retreat to slopes and ridges when disturbed.

Feeding

It is herbivorous. Grasses, sedges, and shrub leaves are grazed or browsed, with seasonal shifts in elevation.

Reproduction

Males clash horns during the rut, and females usually bear single lambs.

Notes

Declines or fragmentation make monitoring important. Trophy hunting, competition with livestock, and habitat fragmentation are important conservation issues.