Animals

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area contains an amazing diversity of habitats. There are five climatic zones ranging from alpine areas to high desert. These zones create climatic conditions where a wide range of animals thrive. Everything from magnificent herds of Pryor Mountain wild horses to the park's namesake Bighorn sheep, visitors can see an array of wildlife in a relatively small area. Consider these facts:

Did You Know?

• Bighorn Rams, which weigh up to 300 pounds, can reach speeds up to 40 mph when clashing during mating season.
• Mule deer can jump an 8 foot fence and can perform a running long jump up to 25 feet.
• Black bears do not hibernate during the winter, but they do enter a deep sleep.
• Pryor Mountain horses have strong Spanish ancestry and are considered a unique genetic resource since horses of this type are no longer present in Spain.

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Bighorn Sheep along the roadside in the South District

NPS (Henthorne)