Five Things To Know About The Alaskan Dall Sheep
1. Both male (Rams) and female (Ewes) are approximately 3 ft tall measured from their shoulder. Rams will weight 200-250 lbs full grown while ewes will weight considerably less at 110-150 lbs.
2. The proper name is “Dall’s Sheep”, but most people say Dall sheep. This particular species of sheep was named after scientists William Dall though E.W. Nelson actually named the sheep. Their probably called Dall’s sheep because the Latin translation of their name which includes the Latin word “dalli”.
3. Dall’s sheep will travel many miles to find mineral licks.The full explanation can be found at http://squee.icanhascheezburger.com/2011/08/30/cute-animals-veritable-dall/ They’ll do this during the spring months to fix any mineral deficiencies they may have accumulated over the harsh winter months. They’ll actually eat the soil, so if you hear someone say that Dall’s sheep eat dirt it’s actually true!
4. You can tell a Dall’s sheep’s age by their horns. Similar to money trees, you can tell the age of a Dall’s sheep using “growth rings” on the horns. The sheep’s horns will actually stop growing during the winter months which leads to the formation of the rings. So to tell the age you just count the rings.
5. Dall’s sheep will fight among each other to assert their dominance. This is only done during breeding season and helps to decide who the “alpha” sheep is. The sheep with the largest horns is generally the leader.