Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn SheepBighorn SheepBighorn SheepBighorn Sheep

Bighorn Sheep

Ovis canadensis

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered Endemic
40–50% · Likely
overall probability at Yellowstone National Park
413 Verified records at Yellowstone National Park
January Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) or bighorn is a species of sheep native to North America. It is named for its large horns. A pair of horns may weigh up to 14 kg (30 lb); the sheep typically weigh up to 143 kg (315 lb). Recent genetic testing indicates three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: O. c. sierrae. Sheep originally crossed to North America over the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia; the population in North America peaked in the millions, and the bighorn sheep entered into the mythology of Native Americans. Wikipedia →

40–50% of wildlife watchers report a Bighorn Sheep sighting in Yellowstone National Park, based on 413 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Yellowstone National Park

American Bison
NT

American Bison

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Bison bison

90–100% · Very likely
Mountain Goat
LC

Mountain Goat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Oreamnos americanus

20–30% · Possible
Elk
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

80–90% · Very likely
Pronghorn
LC Endemic

Pronghorn

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Antilocapra americana

60–70% · Likely
Mule Deer
LC Endemic

Mule Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus hemionus

40–50% · Likely
Elk
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

30–40% · Possible
Moose

Moose

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces americanus

5–10% · With luck
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

5–10% · With luck

📅 Monthly Probability

70–80
Jan
70–80
Feb
60–70
Mar
50–60
Apr
50–60
May
30–40
Jun
30–40
Jul
20–30
Aug
40–50
Sep
40–50
Oct
50–60
Nov
50–60
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Badlands National Park 🇺🇸 United States
90–100%
2 Jasper National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
70–80%
3 Zion National Park 🇺🇸 United States
60–70%
4 Glacier National Park 🇺🇸 United States
60–70%
5 Banff National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
60–70%
6 Grand Canyon National Park 🇺🇸 United States
60–70%
7 Yellowstone National Park 🇺🇸 United States
40–50%
8 Death Valley National Park 🇺🇸 United States
40–50%
9 Joshua Tree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
30–40%
10 Rocky Mountain National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
11 Bahía de Loreto National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
20–30%
12 Grand Teton National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
13 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
14 El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
15 Yosemite National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
16 Great Bear Rainforest 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Bighorn Sheep in Yellowstone National Park?

About 45% of wildlife watchers report a Bighorn Sheep sighting in Yellowstone National Park, based on 413 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Bighorn Sheep in Yellowstone National Park?

January has the highest sighting rate for Bighorn Sheep in Yellowstone National Park in our monthly data.

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