# Argali (*Ovis ammon*) The Argali is a wild sheep with magnificent curved horns. It lives in the high mountains and is known for its impressive climbing skills and thick woolly coat. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Marco Polo Sheep, Mountain Sheep ![Argali](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426064/objects/5869.jpg) ## Appearance The Argali is a very large wild sheep with a sandy-brown to reddish-brown coat that often lightens in winter. Males are easily identified by their massive, spiraling, ridged horns that can curl into more than one full circle, making them distinct from other sheep species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Ovis ## Interesting facts - Argali horns can grow to be over 6 feet long if straightened out! - Baby Argali can stand and follow their mothers just hours after being born! - Some Argali herds migrate up to 50 miles between summer and winter grazing areas! - Their thick skull can withstand incredible impacts from head-butting during fights! ## Special abilities - **Mountain Climber:** Argali can expertly scale steep, rocky slopes because of their specialized hooves that provide excellent grip. - **Super Sight:** Argali has sharp eyesight that helps them spot predators from far away across open mountain terrain. - **Horn Shield:** Argali males use their huge, curled horns to spar with rivals and defend against threats like wolves. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 120-200 cm - **Weight:** 65-180 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-13 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 150-160 days ## Diet & Feeding These hardy mountain sheep munch on grasses, herbs, and other tough plants to get all their energy. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Sedges, Herbs, Lichens, Leaves - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Snow Leopard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snow-leopard) (*Panthera uncia*) — Argali are a primary prey species for snow leopards in high mountains. - **Eaten by:** Grey Wolf (*Canis lupus*) — Wolves hunt Argali, especially young or weak individuals, in their range. - **Depends on:** [Feather Grass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/feather-grass) (*Stipa pennata*) — Argali graze on various steppe grasses, including feather grass, for sustenance. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Admire the Argali from a distance to keep them safe in their natural habitat. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Argali? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Argali? 120-200 cm ### How much does Argali weigh? 65-180 kg ### How long does Argali live? 10-13 years ### How fast can Argali move? 60 km/h ### What does Argali eat? These hardy mountain sheep munch on grasses, herbs, and other tough plants to get all their energy. ### Where is Argali usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Argali hunt? Grazing ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Argali: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/argali)