Babary Sheep

Scientific classification

Appearance and lifespan

Barbary sheep, or Auodad, look like a cross between a sheep and a goat. They are heavily built animals with short legs and long faces. They are approximately 130 to 165 cm (51 to 65 in) long, and can weigh up to 140 kg (309 lb).

They generally have sandy-brown coloured coats that are heavier during the winter, but moult to a finer coat for the warmer months. Both males and females have horns, however those of the male are much thicker, longer, and more heavily ridged. Males also can weigh up to twice as much as the females, and have a longer curtain of hair that hangs from the throat, chest, and upper part of the forelegs.

Barbary sheep have been known to live for 24 years in captivity.

Behaviour and reproduction

Barbary sheep live in small groups of 3 to 6 individuals, comprising a single adult male, several adult females, and their offspring. Occasionally, several of these groups may congregate, forming larger groups of up to 20 individuals.

Adult males must fight for their position as head of a group for females through displays of intimidation. These can include males showing their manes of hair on their foreparts and savage fights between two males.

Females give birth to 1 or 2 young at a time after a gestation period of 150 to 165 days. After giving birth, females lie in a secluded site with their young for a few days, before joining the rest of the group. Female Barbary sheep reach sexual maturity around the age of 18 months.

Ecology and conservation

The Barbary sheep’s diet consists of grass, herbs, and other foliage from shrubs and trees. They feed primarily at dusk, dawn, and during the night, when plants become covered in dew. In doing this, Barbary sheep gain much needed water, which allows them to survive without drinking water during dry periods in their arid habitat.

Food at the zoo

Zookeepers feed the Barbary sheet alfalfa, herbivore cubes, apples and carrots. They also get salt blocks and apple, pear, willow, poplar and maple leaves for browse. 

Threats

Barbary sheep are an important source of meat and hides for many of the native people of the Sahara. Expanding human populations have led to an increase in hunting and have also reduced the amount of suitable habitat for the sheep. Additionally, they have been heavily impacted by competition with livestock and feral camels, resulting in an alarming decline in numbers.

Did You Know?

• The Barbary sheep is the only wild sheep species in Africa.
• A male Barbary sheep will not attack another male if his opponent is unprepared or off-balance.
• With a lack of vegetation in their environment to hide behind, Barbary sheep will instead remain motionless when threatened, their sandy-brown coat enabling them to blend into their surroundings.

Adopt the sheep

Become a part of the the Riverview Park and Zoo family through our Adopt an Animal Program!