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      1. Priority Species

Argali wild sheep

Ovis ammon hodgsoni Argali Rams on the mountaneous grassland area above the Aqik Basin

Key Facts

  • Common Name

    Argali, Wild Sheep Mouflon D'Asie, Mouflon D'Eurasie, Mouflon Vrai (Fr) Muflón Argal (Sp)

  • Scientific Name

    Ovis ammon>

  • Location

    Afghanistan; China; India; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Mongolia; Nepal; Pakistan; Russian Federation; Tajikistan; Uzbekistan

  • Status

    Near Threatened (IUCN ver 3.1)

  • Height and Length

    Shoulder height: 90 - 120 cm; Length: 120 - 200 cm

  • Weight

    65 - 180 kg

Argali wild sheep are a priority species. WWF treats priority species as one of the most ecologically, economically and/or culturally important species on our planet. And so we are working to ensure such species can live and thrive in their natural habitats.

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Physical description

The Argali sheep is a relative species to the universally known Domestic sheep (Ovis aries). It is approximately the same length as a domestic sheep but it is  much taller and heavier than its domesticated relative.

Argali inhabit high altitude regions, usually 3000 - 5000 m. Their coat ranges from light buff to darker grey-brown in colour. Face and underparts are lighter.
Argali males are distinguished from the females by a whitish neck ruff and a dorsal crest.

Size
Weight: 65 - 180 kg
Shoulder height: 90 - 120 cm
Length: 120 - 200 cm

Habitat

Biogeographic realm
Palearctic

Range States
Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

Geographical Location
Central and Southern Asian mountains  

Ecological Region
Temperate Forests, Grasslands and Shrublands; Rocky areas and Cold desert

Food Chain

Argali sheep feed on
  • Grass
  • Herbs
  • Sedges
Predators of Argali sheep include

Interesting facts

  • A group of Argali sheep is called a herd
  • Herds of Argali are usually of single sex. Male and female herds come together during mating season.
  • The gestation period in Argali is between 150 and 160 days
  • The litter size is normally 1 - 2 lambs
  • The horns of a mature Argali male can weigh 20 - 22 kg
     

Threats

Main threats to Argali sheep come from humans and human activity. These include:
  • Over-hunting and poaching
  • Competition from introduction of domestic sheep
  • Disease transmission from domestic sheep
  • Habitat loss

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