Bharal

Pseudois nayaur

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Artiodactyla · Bovidae

About

The bharal, also called the blue sheep, is a caprine native to the high Himalayas. It is the only member of the genus Pseudois. It occurs in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and in China in the provinces of Gansu, Ningxia, Sichuan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia. The Helan Mountains of Ningxia have the highest concentration of bharal in the world, with 15 bharals per km2 and 30,000 in total.

Fun Fact

Bharal (blue sheep) are neither true sheep nor true goats — they occupy a unique taxonomic position between the two, and their blue-grey colour provides perfect camouflage against the Himalayan slate cliffs.

Quick Facts

Habitat

High-altitude grasslands and cliffs

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

12-15 years

Threats

Invasive Species
Agricultural Conversion

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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