Barbary Sheep

Ammotragus lervia

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Mammalia · Artiodactyla · Bovidae

About

The Barbary sheep, also known as aoudad, is a species of caprine native to rocky mountains in North Africa and parts of West Africa. While this is the only species in genus Ammotragus, six subspecies have been described. Although it is rare in its native North Africa, it has been introduced to North America, southern Europe, and elsewhere. It is also known in Berber languages as waddan or arwi, and in former French territories as the mouflon.

Fun Fact

Barbary sheep can survive without drinking water for up to five days by metabolising moisture from the desert plants they eat and by reducing water loss through concentrated urine.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Rocky mountain deserts

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

15-20 years

Threats

Grazing Pressure
Infrastructure Development
Mining Operations

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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