Bighorn Sheep above Juniper Canyon
Red Rock, Nevada
The Desert Bighorn Sheep is the state animal of Nevada since 1973.
Bighorns live as long as ten to fifteen years, grow to 115 to 280 pounds and can be about five feet in length. They have a nine stage digestive process that allows them to obtain nourishment from grasses containing very little nutrient, thereby making them suitable to inhabit the desert mountain ranges. They require no drinking water during the winter if green vegetation is available.