Barbary Sheep: The Desert Mountain Caprid
Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), also known as aoudad, are a species of caprine native to rocky mountains in North Africa. They are the only living species in the genus Ammotragus, and have six subspecies. They have a distinctive appearance, with long white hair on their chin, throat, chest and front legs, and curved horns on both sexes. They are well adapted to dry climates and can survive without drinking water for long periods.
Distribution and Habitat
Barbary sheep originated in the hills of the Sahara and have inhabited all the major mountains of North Africa, from Morocco to Egypt. They prefer arid and semi-arid habitats, such as desert mountains, canyons and plateaus, from sea level up to the edge of the snow line. They are able to cope with extreme temperatures and scarce vegetation.
Barbary sheep have been introduced to other regions of the world, either for hunting or zoological purposes. They have established feral populations in southeastern Spain, southwestern United States, Mexico, Hawaii, some parts of Africa and La Palma island in the Canary Islands. They are considered an invasive species in some areas, as they may compete with native ungulates and damage endemic vegetation.
Behavior and Ecology
Barbary sheep are social animals that live in groups of varying size and composition. They may form herds of up to 100 individuals, or smaller groups of 10 to 20 animals. The groups are usually segregated by sex, except during the breeding season. Males may form bachelor groups or live solitarily. Females tend to stay with their offspring until they reach maturity.
Barbary sheep are mainly active during the early morning and late afternoon, resting during the hottest hours of the day. They are herbivorous and feed on a variety of plants, such as grasses, shrubs, herbs and fruits. They can obtain most of their water from their food, but will drink when water is available. They have a complex digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from low-quality forage.
Barbary sheep have few natural predators, as they inhabit rugged terrain that is inaccessible to most carnivores. However, they may be preyed upon by leopards, hyenas, jackals and eagles. They rely on their keen senses of sight, hearing and smell to detect potential threats. They also use vocalizations and body postures to communicate with each other.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Barbary sheep breed seasonally, usually from September to November in their native range. The females come into estrus for a few days and attract males with their scent and behavior. The males compete for access to females by fighting with their horns and displaying their ventral mane. The dominant male mates with several females in his territory.
The gestation period lasts about 160 days, resulting in the birth of one or two lambs between March and May. The lambs are born precocial and can follow their mother within hours of birth. They are weaned at about six months of age and reach sexual maturity at about two years of age.
Barbary sheep can live up to 20 years in captivity, but their lifespan in the wild is unknown.
Conservation Status
Barbary sheep are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals and is declining due to habitat loss, overhunting, competition with livestock and hybridization with domestic sheep.
Barbary sheep are legally protected in some countries where they occur naturally, such as Morocco and Tunisia. However, enforcement is weak and poaching is common. There are also efforts to conserve them through captive breeding programs and reintroductions into suitable habitats.