# Urial (*Ovis vignei*)

> The urial is a wild sheep of Central and South Asia, recognized by the reddish coat and the dark neck ruff of mature males, which also grow large curved horns. Urials live in dry mountains and grasslands, graze in herds, and are considered an ancestor of domestic sheep.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Dry hills, mountains, and grasslands of Central and South Asia, including Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/urial/
- **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 vignei |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Dry hills, mountains, and grassland |
| Lifespan | Around 12 years |
| Weight | 40–90 kg (88–198 lb) |
| Top speed | Up to 60 km/h (37 mph) |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |

## A true wild sheep

The urial is one of the wild sheep from which domestic sheep are thought to descend. Males are striking, with curved horns that can sweep back over a meter and a long bib of dark hair on the throat and chest during the breeding season.

## Herds and rams' contests

Urials live in herds, often separated by sex outside the rut. In the breeding season rams compete for ewes with charging clashes of their heavy horns, a contest of stamina and strength that decides which males get to mate.

## Habitat and diet

Urials favor open, dry country, from rolling grasslands to rugged foothills below the treeline. They are grazers that feed mainly on grasses and herbs, relying on keen eyesight and speed across open ground to escape wolves and other predators.

## Pressure and protection

Urials are listed as Vulnerable, with populations reduced by hunting for their impressive horns and by competition with domestic livestock for grazing. Protected areas and regulated conservation programs are important to their survival.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a urial?

A urial is a species of wild sheep native to Central and South Asia, with a reddish coat, curved horns in males, and a distinctive dark neck ruff.

### Are urials related to domestic sheep?

Yes. The urial is one of the wild sheep considered to be among the ancestors of today's domestic sheep.

### Where do urials live?

Urials live across dry hills, mountains, and grasslands of Central and South Asia, including parts of Iran, Pakistan, and neighboring countries.

### Are urials endangered?

Urials are listed as Vulnerable, mainly because of hunting and competition with livestock for grazing land.

### How big are urial horns?

Mature male urials grow large, backward-curving horns that can exceed 1 m (3 ft), used in head-to-head fights during the breeding season.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Ovis vignei.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Ovis%20vignei&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Ovis vignei. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ovis_vignei/)
- [Wikipedia — Urial.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urial)

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