This is the largest ram on the planet, very different from those lambs that we are used to seeing in the village landscape. Its total weight can reach 180 kilograms, and only horns can weigh 35 kilograms. 
Altai Mountain Baran
Altai ram: description
Historically, the Altai Mountain Baran has many names. It is called both the Altai ram, and Argali, and the Altai Archar. Among all the names of this solid animal there is even «Tian-Shan rams».
As already mentioned, the Altai ram is the largest ram. Growth in an adult can reach 125 centimeters, and the length of two meters. These are strong herbivores with appropriate horns. They are at the Altai ram of hollow, very wide and wrapped in such a way that the edges stick forward. In this case, the main part of the horn is a horn loop facing the back of the animal.
Horns play a large role as a ram. With the help of them, the animal not only protects against natural enemies, but also participates in widespread battles during the reproduction period.
Like all representatives of the Baran family, the Altai Mountain Baran is a herbivore animal. The basis of its diet is a variety of cereals, sedge, buckwheat and other herbs. In winter, in the absence of a proper feed base, animals carry out nomads. In particular, they descend from the mountains and graze on the plains. To search for a suitable pasture, the Altai Mountain Baran can migrate to a distance of 50 kilometers.
Habitat
Today there are only three points on the globe, where you can see the Altai Mountain Goat:
- In the area of the Chulshman.
- In the area of the mountain ridge, Sailyugem;
- On the site between Mongolia and China.
It goes without saying that the places where the rams live are carefully guarded and are a protected area.
The favorite place of mountain goats is the mountainous area. At the same time, they do not need abundant vegetation – Small shrubs from the subspecies of chubby ones will be enough for them.
In the hot season, mountain rams can eat two to three times, but as for the watering, here is the opposite – Water reserves in their body are replenished every three days.
Numbers
At the beginning of the 20th century, the number of Altai mountain rams reached 600 individuals. A little later their number decreased sharply – up to 245. By conducting security measures and moving adults to protected zones, it was possible to slightly increase the number – up to 320 individuals including both cubs and adult representatives of this breed.
Tried to breed the breed in artificial conditions – In the zoos of Germany and America, but, unfortunately, attempts were unsuccessful. In most cases, animals died for several weeks. The longliver was only a mountain ram, which was brought out at the biological Institute of Eurasia – He lived for six years. It is obvious that this breed is necessary only in natural conditions for them or, at least, in the most similar.
The rescue of the species, as well as serious attempts to increase the population is engaged in the Novosibirsk Zoo. This institution is the only one in the world where Anyone can see Altai mountain rams. Another interesting fact is that the rams contained here safely give offspring.
Researchers of the zoo drawn up a plan for the cultivation and release of young lambs. In the framework of this activity in September 2018, four males were released into the natural habitat, which were separately grown in a special aviary. The event was successful, and the animals went into the forest. According to experts, they should meet with a large herd of wild rams located in the release area and become part of it.
