Mountain Goat vs. Mountain Sheep: Telling Them Apart in the Wild

Mountain Goat vs. Mountain Sheep: Telling Them Apart in the Wild

Ever been hiking in the mountains and spotted a critter clinging to a cliff, leaving you wondering, “Is that a mountain goat or a sheep?” You’re not alone! These two high-altitude residents often get mistaken for each other. But don’t worry, with a few pointers, you’ll be telling them apart like a pro. While they both call the mountains home, some key differences in how they look, act, and where they hang out will help you distinguish between mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) and mountain sheep (Ovis canadensis). So, let’s dive into what makes each of these animals unique.

First off, despite sharing those stunning mountain views, these guys aren’t exactly cousins. Mountain goats are part of the Caprinae family, which is a mixed bag of goats, antelopes, and even muskoxen. In fact, the mountain goat is the only one of its kind in the Oreamnos group. These goats have been kicking around since the Ice Age!

Now, mountain sheep are in the Ovis family, which is where all the sheep, wild and woolly, reside. Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) are one of the two types of mountain sheep you’ll find in North America, the other being the Dall sheep (Ovis dalli). Picture this: way back, around 750,000 years ago, bighorns crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia to Alaska. Talk about a long commute!

Okay, let’s get down to brass tacks: how do you tell them apart with your own two eyes? Color is your first big clue. Mountain goats sport a thick, snow-white coat that’s like a built-in parka against those biting mountain winds. Bighorns, on the other hand, come in shades of brown, from chocolate to gray, with a white patch on their muzzle, rump, and belly.

Then there are the horns. Both male and female mountain goats rock slender, black horns that curve back a bit. They’re usually around 8 to 12 inches long and seriously sharp. Bighorn sheep? Well, the males live up to their name! Those massive, curled horns can weigh up to 30 pounds – that’s like carrying all their other bones on their head! The ladies have horns too, but they’re much smaller and daintier. And bighorn horns are usually brownish-gray.

Here’s a bonus tip: look for a beard! Mountain goats have one, while bighorns are clean-shaven. Plus, mountain goats look a bit more buff, especially in their shoulders and neck. All that climbing builds serious muscle!

Where you spot them can also give you a clue. Both hang out in the western mountains of North America, but they have different tastes in real estate. Mountain goats prefer the high life – way up in the rocky cliffs and alpine meadows. They’re built for that extreme terrain, with special hooves that grip like climbing shoes. You’ll find them in the northern Rockies, the Cascades, and along the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia. Some have even been introduced to places like South Dakota and Colorado.

Bighorns are more flexible. You might find them in alpine meadows, but also in deserts and rocky canyons. They’re more adaptable and can handle lower elevations. They roam from southern Canada all the way down to Mexico.

What’s on the menu? Mountain goats are like the ultimate mountain foragers. They’ll munch on grasses, herbs, ferns, mosses, even twigs and leaves. They’re not picky! Bighorns are more into grasses and flowering plants. They’ve got a super-efficient four-part stomach that lets them squeeze every last drop of goodness out of their food, so they can go for long stretches without water.

As for how they act, mountain goats tend to stick to smaller groups – moms with their kids, led by a tough male. Those males are territorial and will duke it out for the right to mate. Bighorns are more social butterflies, forming larger herds of males and females. And during mating season, the males put on a show with those head-butting battles. Mountain goats are also known to be a bit feistier, asserting their dominance more often.

Good news on the conservation front! Both mountain goats and bighorn sheep faced tough times in the past due to hunting and habitat loss, but thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers have stabilized. Mountain goats are currently doing okay, and bighorn sheep are doing well in North America, although they’re still struggling in Mexico.

So, the next time you’re in the mountains and spot one of these amazing animals, take a closer look. By knowing what to look for, you can confidently tell the difference between a mountain goat and a bighorn sheep and appreciate the incredible ways they’ve adapted to life in the high country. Happy spotting!