Introductory
WILDLIFE SPECIES: Ovis canadensis | Bighorn Sheep 



ABBREVIATION : 
OVCA

COMMON NAMES : 
   bighorn sheep 
   mountain sheep


TAXONOMY : 
The currently accepted scientific name for the bighorn sheep is Ovis
canadensis Shaw [6,13].  Seven subspecies have been recognized and are
listed below [13].

O. canadensis ssp. canadensis (Rocky mountain bighorn sheep)
O. canadensis ssp. auduboni Merriam (Audubon's bighorn sheep)    
O. canadensis ssp. californiana Douglas (California bighorn sheep) 
O. canadensis ssp. cremnobates Elliot (Peninsular bighorn sheep)
O. canadensis ssp. mexicana Merriam
O. canadensis ssp. nelsoni Merriam
O. canadensis ssp. weemsi Goldman

The last four subspecies are all known by the common name of desert
bighorn sheep [6].


ORDER : 
Artiodactyla

CLASS : 
Mammal

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : 
California bighorn sheep is listed as endangered.

OTHER STATUS : 
The California bighorn sheep is listed as sensitive by Region 1 of the
U.S. Forest Service on the North Dakota portion of the Custer National
Forest [22].  The state of Idaho also lists the California bighorn sheep
as sensitive.  However, this designation applies only to bighorn sheep
south of the Snake River in Idaho, and not to bighorn sheep found
elsewhere in the state [28].


COMPILED BY AND DATE : 
Julie L. Tesky, August 1993.


LAST REVISED BY AND DATE : 
NO-ENTRY


AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : 
Tesky, Julie L. 1993. Ovis canadensis. In: Remainder of Citation

Related categories for Wildlife Species: Ovis canadensis | Bighorn Sheep