Snow sheep
Scientific name: Ovis nivicola
- How weight is recorded: Carcass weight
Field notes
Appearance
Stocky, compact frame with a thick, light grey to brownish coat that becomes denser in winter. Males are noticeably larger with prominent curved horns; females are smaller with shorter, thinner horns or spikes.
Size and weight
Males 100–130 kg, body length 150–170 cm; females 60–90 kg, body length 130–150 cm.
Habitat
Snow sheep inhabit steep, rocky alpine and sub-alpine terrain above treeline, often on exposed ridges, scree slopes, and cliff faces. They favour areas with sparse low vegetation, lichen, and minimal snow cover in winter.
Distribution
Endemic to northeastern Siberia, particularly the Chukchi, Kamchatka, and Sakha regions. Restricted to high alpine and sub-alpine zones with minimal tree cover.
Diet
Grazes on alpine grasses, sedges, lichen, and shrub browse; in winter shifts to lichen, dried vegetation, and woody stems where snow permits access.
Behaviour
Primarily diurnal, most active at dawn and dusk. Live in small bachelor or mixed herds; males are solitary or in small groups outside rut. Highly agile climbers with excellent vertical mobility on steep slopes.
Hunting tips
Look for fresh tracks and droppings on ridgelines and exposed slopes; beds are often found on windswept plateaus with good visibility. Approach from above or use terrain folds to close distance, moving slowly during early morning when sheep feed. Glass high basins and saddles systematically; sheep often move to steeper ground when disturbed, so anticipate escape routes upslope.
Carcass weight
This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.