Barbary sheep

The aoudad is a relativel short-legged stocky mountain sheep. It reaches a head-body length of 130-165 cm, height at shoulder of 75-112 cm and a body weight of 40-145 kg. The bucks are considerably larger and heavier than the ewes.

The curved or spiralled horns are moderately long, thick, and triangular-based. They are found in both sexes and are larger in males (up to 84 cm long and 35.5 cm basal circumference) than in females (up to 51 cm long, 20.5 cm basal circumference). The tail is relatively (15-25 cm) long, tufted on the terminal half and naked underneath.

The coat is short and bristly, generally rufous-tawny on the upper parts. Inside of the ears, chin, belly and inner sides of the legs are whitish. There is no beard, but a ventral mane of long, soft pale coloured hair on throat and chest, and a short erect mane from the base of neck to just behind the withers.

Aoudad live solitary or in small groups; they are most active at dawn and dusk, resting in the shade during the day.

Although breeding can occur throughout the year, main rutting season is from September to November. After a gestation period of 160 days, the female gives birth to 1-3 kids, which are weaned at 3-4 months and will reach sexual maturity after 18 months. A female may give birth twice per year.

The aoudad feeds on grasses, leaves and twigs of shrubs and acacias, and lichens.