Mouflons are wild sheep. They are found in many parts of the world. The domestication of the muflons began 7000-11,000 years ago in the southwestern regions of Asia. The population of the wild sheep is reduced. People hunt for characteristic horns.
Body and wool
Long, slender legs are decorated with a vertical black line under the knees. The stomach is white. The fur consists of long, rough villi. Color varies from gray with reddish to brown and coffee hue. European mouflons have dark chestnut males, beige females.
Horns
Males have large horns about 60 cm long, spiral or curved above the heads. Females have no horns the main sexual dimorphism.
Life life
In nature, the life expectancy of males is from 8 to 10 years, females from 10 to 12 years. Mouflons live up to 20 years in captivity.
Classification of species of muflon sheep by areas
Biologists argue regarding the classification of varieties. Some claim that a mufton is a subspecies of sheep. Others consider it an independent look, the progenitor of domesticated sheep. The scientific publication “Types of mammals of the world” classifies mouflons according to subspecies based on the range and characteristics:
Habitat
These sheep are found in:
Behavior
Mouflons shy animals. They go out for food in the evening or early in the morning. They will also not remain in one place for a long time.
During the day, rest under overhanging bushes or stones, choose a safe shelter that protects against predators.
Clubs spend time in movement and grazing in nonterritorial herds. They have a highly developed herd instinct, and they are lost in large groups of up to 1000 or more individuals. Can set close personal ties. They experience stress, if they are separated, looking for, calling and beating a hoof to the ground.
Diet
Like domestic sheep, clutches graze on herbs. They eat leaves, fruits from shrubs and trees, if there is not enough grass in the environment.
Mating and reproduction season
Representatives of different sexes live in separate groups and are found only during the wedding season. The pop cycle of the female falls at the end of September and the beginning of October. Pregnancy period from five to six months. One or two lamb is born in March.
During the struggle for the sheep, the dominance of the ram determines the age and size of the horns. During the battle, applicants face their foreheads, beat the opponent with horns to show dominance.
A newborn young animal takes only a few minutes to get to your feet. Mother cares about lambs until they are ready to feed on their own. Young couls reach the age of puberty from about two to three years. Males are capable of breeding after they are four years old.
Features of the body for survival in nature
The stomach of the mouflon is multichamber. Microorganisms live in it, which destroy the fiber present in the cell walls of the fibrous plant matter. The couls eat hard grass, and easily digest it.
The senses of these animals are extremely developed. They are by ear find approaching predators, quickly run away from them.
Natural enemies of the mouflons
Bears and wolves are hunting for sheep, which gradually disappear in nature. Foxes, eagles and leopards pose a threat depending on the subspecies of the mouflons. But, of course, the main enemy is a person. Environmental measures are designed to preserve and increase the population of these excellent creatures.
