Wildlifeof China
Argali
Wild Cattle & Serow
Photo: Albin Mesnel, Édouard Riou, Edward Blyth, Alphonse de Neuville · Public domain
Ovis ammon
Basic stats
Diet
Grasses, herbs, and sedges
Habitat
Open mountain slopes and high-elevation grassland
Range
Central Asia from the Altai to Tibet, the Himalayas, and Mongolia; 1,000–6,000 m
Litter size
1–2 lambs
Gestation period
150–180 days
Size
120–190 cm long; shoulder height 90–125 cm
Weight
60–185 kg
The argali is the world’s largest wild sheep, weighing 60–185 kg and standing 90–125 cm at the shoulder. Both sexes possess horns, but those of adult males are exceptionally massive and may measure as much as 190 cm along their corkscrew-shaped curve. A dark lateral band separates the brown upper body from the paler underside. The pale face and conspicuous light rump patch provide additional field marks. (Animal Diversity Web)
Argali occupy open mountain slopes across Central Asia, from the Altai and Mongolian Plateau south toward Tibet and the Himalayas, at approximately 1,000–6,000 m. Their habitat is dominated by grasses with few trees. These diurnal sheep usually form sex-segregated herds outside the autumn and early-winter rut. They graze on grasses, herbs, and sedges. Females leave the herd to bear one or two lambs after a gestation of 150–180 days. (Animal Diversity Web)
Quick answers
- What does the Argali eat?
- Grasses, herbs, and sedges
- What habitat does the Argali live in?
- Open mountain slopes and high-elevation grassland
- Where is the Argali found?
- Central Asia from the Altai to Tibet, the Himalayas, and Mongolia; 1,000–6,000 m
- What is the litter size of the Argali?
- 1–2 lambs
- How long is the gestation period of the Argali?
- 150–180 days
- How big is the Argali?
- 120–190 cm long; shoulder height 90–125 cm
- How much does the Argali weigh?
- 60–185 kg