The Bedford Estates, London
Overview
A group of Barbary sheep can be found grazing in the Road Safari's savannah reserve within a mixed exhibit with a variety of African species, including Rothschild's giraffe.
All about us
| Distribution: | North Africa |
|---|---|
| Habitat: | Rocky hills and mountains |
| Height: | Up to 100cm tall |
| Weight: | 30 - 145kg |
| Gestation Period: | 154 - 161 days |
| Lifespan: | 20-25 years |
| Threats: | Habitat loss and poaching |
About us
Scientifc name: Ammotragus lervia
Barbary sheep are a mammal native to the rocky mountains of North Africa. They are locally known as 'Aoudads'. Barbary sheep are incorrectly identified as sheep, when in fact their genes suggest they are much more closely related to wild goats!
As Barbary sheep are native to North Africa, their habitat consists of rocky hills and mountain ranges. This has made them excellent and agile climbers, navigating rugged terrain with ease.
They stand at around a metre tall and have thick curled horns, which are much more pronounced in the males. Both males and females have long fringes of hair growing from their chest, neck and front legs.
Their tan brown coat also helps them blend in with their natural sandy surroundings out in the wild. This is useful as they are often too large to hide behind the small desert rocks of their natural habitat, helping them evade predators by standing very still when threatened. Their light brown coat is also known to darken with age.
They are herbivores, eating various grasses, lichens, bushes. They get most of their water from their food, but if a water source is available to them, they are known to drink from it.
Barbary sheep often live in small family groups which are led by a breeding male. They have also been known to join up into larger groups full of both males and females of all ages in the dry season.
Populations of Barbary sheep have dramatically declined over recent years, due to poaching and habitat degradation. They are now listed as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
