Bighorn Sheep

• Scientific Name: Ovis canadensis
• Niimiipuutímt: hiyeéte (female) tinuúm (male)

Bighorns are mostly known for their head-to-head battles which can last for more than 24 hours. The male bighorn is called a ram and can be recognized for the massive curled horns that can weigh more than 30 pounds. Ewes as the females are called have smaller horns that don't reach a half curl. A bighorn can live to be 10-15 years old in the wild. Females can have from 1 to 2 kids every spring.

Range: The natural range was formerly in the Rocky Mountains from southern Canada to Colorado, but is now reduced to areas where small bands are protected by inaccessible habitat or by refuges. The bighorn sheep can be found through the entire route of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail except the Lolo Trail.

Habitat: Alpine meadows, grassy mountain slopes and foothills near rugged, rocky cliffs and bluffs where a quick escape from predators exists are the prefered habitat of the Bighorn Sheep. Their winter range is between 2500 and 5000 feet where the snow doesn't get too deep for them to forage. Summer range is between 6000 to 8500 feet

Food: grasses, sedges, and forbs.

Nez Perce Traditional Uses: The bighorn sheep remain a very sacred animal species to the Nimiípuu. Ram's horns were traditionally used for spoons, ladles, and saddle stirrups. The Nimiípuu were also known far and wide for hunting bows made from ram's horns.