I have found Desert Bighorn Sheep at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, in the Trigo Mountains, and on the cliffs of Tortilla Flat above Canyon Lake. Interestingly, all three are locations with permanent access to water. Two other main Desert Bighorn sites in Arizona are Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. I've not found them in either of those locations -- although not for the lack of trying. I'm guessing that because neither of those locations have a permanent water source the Bighorns are more scattered and stay up at higher elevations where human access is more challenging.
A second interesting observation is that only 125 miles (as the crow flies) East of where the Canyon Lake Desert Bighorns live, I have found Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Of course, in that 125 miles you climb 5,000 feet.
Desert Bighorns look very similar to Rocky Mountain Bighorns, although somewhat smaller. The most significant difference, however, is that the Desert Bighorns have become well adapted to living in the desert heat and cold. And, unlike the Rocky Mountain Bighorns, their body temperature can safely fluctuate several degrees. Other physiological differences allow them to go without water for weeks or months, sustaining their body moisture from food and rainwater collected in temporary rock pools. They can lose up to 30 percent of their body weight during the hot summer months ((much like bears when hibernating in the winter). While bears find dens for the winter, Desert Bighorns often find caves to keep cool during the hot summer days.
Today, I'll show two "4" Star Photos (Neither rises to my "5" Star Level). The first is of the Canyon Lake Desert Bighorns, the second is the Blue Mountain Rocky Mountain Bighorns.
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| Desert Bighorn Sheep -- Tortilla Flat above Canyon Lake, Arizona |
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| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep -- Blue Mountains, Arizona |
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