Argali
Encyclopedia
The argali, or the mountain sheep (species Ovis ammon) is a wild sheep
, which roams the highlands of Central Asia
(Himalaya, Tibet
, Altay
). It is the biggest wild sheep, standing 106 to 135 cm (41.7 to 53.1 in) at the shoulder, measuring 177 to 200 cm (69.7 to 78.7 in) long and weighing 110 to 182 kg (242.5 to 401.2 lb), with a maximum known weight of 216 kg (476.2 lb). The Pamir
argali (also called Marco Polo sheep
, for they were first described by that traveller) may attain more than 6 ft (1.8 m) in length.
The general colouration varies between each animal, from a lightish yellow to a dark grey-brown. The face is lighter. Males have a whitish neck ruff and a dorsal crest. Males have two large corkscrew horns, some measuring 190 cm (6.2 ft) in length. Males use their horns for competing with one another. Females also carry horns, but much smaller.
Argalis live in herds between 2 and 100 animals, segregated by sex, except during breeding season. Migrating herds, especially males, have been reported. With long legs, herds can travel quickly from place to place. Argalis tend to live at higher elevations during the summer.
Argalis are considered an endangered or threatened species throughout their entire range, due to habitat loss from overgrazing of domestic sheep and hunting. They are hunted for both their meat and their horns, used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Some sources classify mouflon
as Ovis ammon musimon. However, DNA testing has not supported this. Several subspecies of argali have been genetically tested for mtDNA and one study found that the subspecies Ovis ammon ammon, O. ammon darwini and the urial
subspecies, O. vignei bochariensis grouped closely while the subspecies Ovis ammon collium and O. ammon nigrimontana grouped with the urial subspecies O. vignei arkal.
Ovis
Ovis is a genus of mammals, part of the goat-antelope subfamily of the ruminant family Bovidae. Its five or more highly gregarious species are known as sheep...
, which roams the highlands of Central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
(Himalaya, Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
, Altay
Altay Mountains
The Altai Mountains are a mountain range in East-Central Asia, where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together, and where the rivers Irtysh and Ob have their sources. The Altai Mountains are known as the original locus of the speakers of Turkic as well as other members of the proposed...
). It is the biggest wild sheep, standing 106 to 135 cm (41.7 to 53.1 in) at the shoulder, measuring 177 to 200 cm (69.7 to 78.7 in) long and weighing 110 to 182 kg (242.5 to 401.2 lb), with a maximum known weight of 216 kg (476.2 lb). The Pamir
Pamir Mountains
The Pamir Mountains are a mountain range in Central Asia formed by the junction or knot of the Himalayas, Tian Shan, Karakoram, Kunlun, and Hindu Kush ranges. They are among the world’s highest mountains and since Victorian times they have been known as the "Roof of the World" a probable...
argali (also called Marco Polo sheep
Marco Polo sheep
The Marco Polo sheep is a subspecies of argali sheep, named after Marco Polo. Their habitat is the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Marco Polo sheep are distinguishable mostly by their large size and spiraling horns. Their conservation status is "near threatened" and efforts have been made to...
, for they were first described by that traveller) may attain more than 6 ft (1.8 m) in length.
The general colouration varies between each animal, from a lightish yellow to a dark grey-brown. The face is lighter. Males have a whitish neck ruff and a dorsal crest. Males have two large corkscrew horns, some measuring 190 cm (6.2 ft) in length. Males use their horns for competing with one another. Females also carry horns, but much smaller.
Argalis live in herds between 2 and 100 animals, segregated by sex, except during breeding season. Migrating herds, especially males, have been reported. With long legs, herds can travel quickly from place to place. Argalis tend to live at higher elevations during the summer.
Argalis are considered an endangered or threatened species throughout their entire range, due to habitat loss from overgrazing of domestic sheep and hunting. They are hunted for both their meat and their horns, used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Some sources classify mouflon
Mouflon
The mouflon is a subspecies group of the wild sheep Ovis aries. Populations of Ovis aries can be partitioned into the mouflons and urials or arkars...
as Ovis ammon musimon. However, DNA testing has not supported this. Several subspecies of argali have been genetically tested for mtDNA and one study found that the subspecies Ovis ammon ammon, O. ammon darwini and the urial
Urial
The Urial , also known as the Arkars or Shapo, is a subspecies group of the wild sheep Ovis orientalis. Noticeable features are the reddish-brown long fur that fades during winter; males are characterized by a black ruff stretching from the neck to the chest and large horns. It is found in western...
subspecies, O. vignei bochariensis grouped closely while the subspecies Ovis ammon collium and O. ammon nigrimontana grouped with the urial subspecies O. vignei arkal.
Subspecies
Currently nine subspecies of argali are recognized:- Altai argaliAltai argaliAltai argali is a traditional subspecies of argali, wild sheep that roam the highlands of Altai Mountains.Altai argali are the largest of all sheep, with the heaviest horns, those of mature males normally 45-50 and up to 75 pounds ....
, (Ovis ammon ammon) - Karaganda argali, (Ovis ammon collium)
- Gobi argali, (Ovis ammon darwini)
- Armenian Mouflon, (Ovis ammon gmelini)
- Tibetan argali, (Ovis ammon hodgsoni)
- North China argali, (Ovis ammon jubata)
- Tian Shan argali, (Ovis ammon karelini)
- Kara Tau argali, (Ovis ammon nigrimontana)
- Marco Polo argaliMarco Polo sheepThe Marco Polo sheep is a subspecies of argali sheep, named after Marco Polo. Their habitat is the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Marco Polo sheep are distinguishable mostly by their large size and spiraling horns. Their conservation status is "near threatened" and efforts have been made to...
, (Ovis ammon polii) - Severtzov argali, (Ovis ammon severtzovi)
Further reading
- Namgail, T., Fox, J.L. & Bhatnagar, Y.V. (2003). Interactions between Argali and livestock in the Proposed Gya-Miru Wildlife Sanctuary.
- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology