Desert Bighorn Sheep | Joshua Tree National Park, CA

The Desert Bighorn Sheep is a type of wild sheep that inhabit mountainous or rocky terrain areas. They live in the arid regions of the Southwest United States and Mexico. About 250 Desert Bighorn Sheep live in the Joshua Tree National Park.

🐐 The sheep prefer a habitat of steep, rocky terrain for escape from predators.

One of the best places to look for bighorns in Joshua Park is the Barker Dam that serves as a water source for these animals. They can go for days without water. In fact, during particularly dry years, the sheep can get all the water just from plants such grass or cactus.

Desert Bighorn Sheep are gregarious animals, forming herds of 8-10 individuals. Male sheep, called rams, can be recognized by their massive brown horns. Horn size is a symbol of rank in the herd.