# Bharal (*Pseudois nayaur*) The Bharal, also known as the blue sheep, is a beautiful animal that lives in the mountains. They have thick, soft fur and can jump very high to escape from predators. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Blue Sheep ![Bharal](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rook_goat.jpg&width=800) Photo: snowyowls, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rook_goat.jpg) ## Appearance The Bharal has a beautiful blue-gray coat, with a whitish belly and black stripes on its legs and chest. Their smooth, curved horns grow outwards and then sweep backward, making them look like a blend between a goat and a sheep. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Pseudois ## Interesting facts - Bharals are sometimes called "blue sheep," but they are neither true sheep nor true goats! - Bharals can live higher than most mammals, up to 6,000 meters above sea level! - Their horns grow longer and thicker every year, showing their age like tree rings. - When startled, Bharals often freeze perfectly still, trusting their camouflage to work. ## Special abilities - **Cliff Climber:** Bharal can scale incredibly steep mountain cliffs because of their specially adapted hooves, helping them escape predators. - **Mountain Camouflage:** Bharal has a blue-gray coat that helps them blend perfectly with the rocky, icy mountain environment to hide from danger. - **Keen Senses:** Bharal can detect predators from far away because of their sharp eyesight and hearing, keeping their herd safe. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 115-165 cm - **Weight:** 35-75 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-20 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 150-170 days ## Diet & Feeding Bharals munch on tough mountain plants, finding tasty meals even in harsh, cold environments. - **Primary Foods:** alpine grasses, mosses, lichens, herbs, shrubs - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Snow Leopard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snow-leopard) (*Panthera uncia*) — A primary prey for this elusive mountain cat. - **Hunts:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — Preys on young bharal lambs from above. ## Traits - [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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bharal? 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 Bharal? 115-165 cm ### How much does Bharal weigh? 35-75 kg ### How long does Bharal live? 12-20 years ### How fast can Bharal move? 50 km/h ### What does Bharal eat? Bharals munch on tough mountain plants, finding tasty meals even in harsh, cold environments. ### Where is Bharal usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Bharal 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: [Bharal: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bharal)