Desert Ewe Portrait

A female Bighorn Sheep I met in Pine Creek area of Red Rocks, Nevada in February 2007. I miss her, but with the temperatures in Red Rocks exceeding 100F I will not be able to climb the peaks there for a couple of months. I'm sure she will be all right though. Desert Bighorn Sheep are well adapted to desert heat. They utilize two mechanisms for cooling: perspiring and panting, which is a fairly uncommon adaptation for animals. In the summer they graze at night and rest in shade during the day.