Nature Across Canada

Bighorn Sheep are our focus today...

When you visit the Canadian Rockies, you never go long without seeing wildlife, but sometimes when the other mammals are playing hard to get, you can depend on Bighorn Sheep to brighten your day. Bighorn Sheep are quite photogenic with their large, curled horns and being a herd animal, when you find one, you are usually guaranteed to find a whole bunch.

Waterton Lakes National Park and Banff National Park are excellent spots to see Bighorn Sheep in the Canadian Rockies. As with most animals, they are most active in early morning or in the evening.

A little Bighorn Sheep information for you.

Bighorn Sheep can live 10-15 years and Rams can weigh over 300 pounds or 140 kilograms though Ewes can be quite a bit smaller. They stand about 3 ½ feet at the shoulder. The males are referred to as Rams and the females are known Ewes just like our domestic barnyard sheep. Their colours can vary from a dark brown to a lighter tan colour. The Canadian Rockies sheep are usually darker, but if you find some in desert areas of British Columbia, they are quite a bit lighter in colour highlighted by their big white rumps. A full-grown Ram’s horns can weigh as much as thirty pounds. They are impressive Mammals!

Mating seasons is from mid fall to early winter when the head-butting begins.

If you’ve watched any National Geographic Specials before, I’m sure you saw Bighorn Rams smashing their heads/horns together in a clash of titans during rutting season. The fights can last for hours as these powerful mammals battle for supremacy of the herd. The headbutting can be heard like a thunderclap over a mile away. Fortunately, the design of the horns and their very thick skulls prevent concussions, but they can be mortally wounded or injured during these intense skirmishes.

Short Video of the Battle of the Bighorns

Bighorn Sheep go where they like, so if you’re not in their way, you’re fine. As always, you must be respectful of any wild animal encounter and use common sense. Always leave any animal an escape route and it’s preferable to use a tele-photo lens so you can keep your distance. Bighorn Sheep are large powerful animals and must be respected. You wouldn’t want to get rammed by one, it would be like getting hit by a car. Fortunately attacks on humans are very rare.

A sure-footed young Lamb.

It’s not uncommon for Bighorn Sheep to cause traffic jam as they love to block roads. It always brings a smile and a chuckle to my face. I may not like a traffic jam in the city, but I’m okay with it when it’s Bighorn Sheep. I’m truly thankful to witness moments like these.

Here’s a short video of a typical traffic jam in Waterton Lakes National Park.

Thanks for reading about these tremendous mammals which are always one of the highlights with any visit to the Canadian Rockies.