The mouflon is a species of wild sheep, considered the ancestor of all breeds of domestic sheep, with short fur ranging from dark red-brown to reddish-brown, with a dark dorsal stripe and a lighter spot on the side. The rams have strong horns, spiraling in an almost complete rotation (up to 85 cm long), while some females may be horned or polled (hornless). The mouflon has a robust stature, with a shoulder height of about 0.9 m and a body length between 110–145 cm from head to tail. The body is adapted to life on rocks and rough terrain: long and robust legs, sharp eyes and sensitive ears help detect predators.
Habits
Mouflons are diurnal and social, organizing themselves in small herds led by a senior female outside the breeding season, and during the autumn rut the rams fight for access to the ewes, establishing a rigorous dominance system. They feed on grass, leaves and twigs, grazing mainly in the morning and evening, and quickly take refuge on the rocks in case of danger.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity at 2–4 years; mating occurs in October–November, when rams establish dominance hierarchies through horn clashes; females remain pregnant for approximately 5 months and give birth to 1–2 lambs in March–April, which are suckled by the mother and can flee shortly after birth.
Distribution
Wild mouflons are found in the Caucasus region (southeastern Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan), in the Zagros and Alborz Mountains of western Iran, and the island of Cyprus (where they were introduced in the Neolithic); feral populations were later spread to Southern and Central Europe by human introductions.
