# Dall Sheep (*Ovis dalli*)

> Dall sheep (Ovis dalli) are white mountain sheep of Alaska and northwestern Canada whose rams carry curling horns. Adults weigh about 80 kg, climb alpine crags, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Alpine ranges of Alaska and northwestern Canada.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/dall-sheep/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Bovidae
- **Genus:** Ovis

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Ovis dalli |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Alpine ridges and meadows |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Weight | 50–100 kg |
| Top speed | up to 50 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## White sheep of the alpine

Rams develop thick, curling horns used in head-butting contests; ewes carry shorter, slimmer horns. Winter coats are pure white; some populations show darker summer tones.

## Grasses and sedges above treeline

Summer grazing on alpine meadows and windswept ridges; winter survival depends on windswept slopes where snow is shallow.

## Alaska Range and Yukon peaks

Alpine ranges from Alaska through the Yukon and western Northwest Territories. Denali and Kluane are classic viewing areas.

## Hunting and highway corridors

Least Concern with regulated harvest. Mineral licks along roads attract sheep, increasing vehicle strikes and habituation near park highways.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do Dall sheep horns differ by sex?

Rams grow massive curling horns; ewes have shorter, thinner horns that curve less.

### Where is the best place to see Dall sheep?

Denali National Park and alpine highways in Alaska and Yukon.

### Are Dall sheep the same as bighorn sheep?

They are closely related North American mountain sheep; Dall sheep are white and occupy northern alpine ranges.

### What do Dall sheep eat in winter?

Dry grasses and sedges on windswept ridges where snow cover is thin.

### Do Dall rams fight with their horns?

Yes — autumn clashes determine breeding access; horn rings age males.

---
Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/dall-sheep/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.