Dall sheep facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dall's sheep |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| ram | |
.jpg) |
|
| ewe both in Denali National Park in Alaska |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Subspecies | |
|
|
 |
The Dall's sheep (also called Dall sheep) is a type of wild sheep. It lives in the mountains of northwestern North America. These sheep are known for their beautiful white coats. They are a northern subspecies of a larger group called thinhorn sheep. Dall's sheep survived the last Ice Age in special safe areas. These areas were in places like Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia.
Contents
What Are Dall's Sheep?
Dall's sheep are part of a group called Ovis dalli. This group includes two main types, or subspecies:
- Dall's sheep (O. d. dalli)
- Stone's sheep (O. d. stonei)
Scientists study these sheep to understand them better. They use different methods to tell them apart. For a long time, people thought the color of their fur was the main difference. Dall's sheep are usually white. Stone's sheep are darker, often gray or brown.
How Scientists Study Sheep
Sometimes, sheep with mixed colors are found. These were once called Fannin sheep. But now, scientists know they are a mix of Dall's and Stone's sheep. This shows that color alone is not always enough to tell them apart.
Scientists now use special tests to look at the sheep's DNA. DNA is like a blueprint for living things. By studying DNA, they can see how different sheep are related. This helps them draw better maps of where each type of sheep lives. The name dalli comes from William Healey Dall. He was an American naturalist who studied nature.
Where Dall's Sheep Live and What They Do
Dall's sheep live in the cold, mountainous areas of North America. You can find them in places like Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and British Columbia. They prefer dry, open mountain areas. They like places with steep, rocky slopes. These slopes help them escape from predators. Predators are animals that hunt them for food.
Life in the Mountains
Male Dall's sheep are called rams. They have large, thick horns that curl around. Female Dall's sheep are called ewes. Their horns are shorter and thinner. Rams usually live in groups separate from the ewes. They only join the ewes during the mating season. This happens in late November and early December. Baby lambs are born in May.
What Dall's Sheep Eat
In the summer, there is plenty of food. Dall's sheep eat many different kinds of plants. In winter, food is harder to find. They mostly eat dry grass, sedges, lichen, and moss. They look for areas where the snow has blown away. Many sheep also travel far to find special places called mineral licks. They eat the soil there to get important minerals.
Who Hunts Dall's Sheep?
The main predators of Dall's sheep are wolves, coyotes, black bears, and grizzly bears. Young lambs can also be hunted by golden eagles. Dall's sheep are strong. They have been seen butting wolves off cliffs to protect themselves.
You can often see Dall's sheep in certain parks. These include Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. This park was created to protect these sheep. You might also see them in Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon.
Gallery
-
Dall ewe and lamb group in Denali National Park
-
Two Dall sheep lambs
-
Stone sheep near roadway in British Columbia
-
Taxidermied specimens at the American Museum of Natural History
.jpg)
.jpg)
Images for kids
-
Rams interacting in Denali National Park
-
Sport hunting of O. dalli, 1953
-
O. dalli ram eating grass
.jpg)
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Ovis dalli para niños
