Dall sheep (Ovis dalli) are wild white sheep of the subarctic and arctic mountain ranges of Alaska. Rams carry thick, curling horns, and the species is named for the American naturalist William Healey Dall (1845–1927).[1]
| Scientific name | Ovis dalli |
|---|---|
| Ram weight | 70–80 kg (160–180 lb) |
| Ewe weight | 45–50 kg (100–110 lb) |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years |
| Height | About 0.9 m at the shoulder |
Horns and age
Horn growth begins at about two months. Rams have thick, curling horns while ewes have small, slender ones, and young rams look like ewes until about age three. Because growth stops and starts each year, horns carry rings called annuli that help estimate age. Sport hunting in Alaska’s national preserves is limited to mature rams with full-curl horns, both tips broken, or age eight or older.[1]
Habitat and diet
Dall sheep use dry alpine tundra, meadows and steep rugged ground, which gives them both forage and escape terrain. They eat grasses, sedges and shrubs such as willow, and in winter frozen grasses, sedges, lichens and mosses; they also travel to mineral licks. Adults can lose up to 16 percent of body mass over winter, and lambs and yearlings up to 40 percent.[1]
Predators and protection
Wolf packs, coyotes, black and grizzly bears prey on Dall sheep, and golden eagles take the young. Denali National Park, created in 1917, protects them from overhunting.[1]
FAQs
What are Dall sheep? White wild sheep that live in Alaska’s mountains.
How can you tell a sheep’s age? By counting annual growth rings on the horns.
Who is the sheep named after? William Healey Dall.
Sources
Key facts
- Rams 70–80 kg
- Horn rings show age
- Named for W. H. Dall
Quick checkHow long do they live?Show answer
12 to 16 years.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Dall sheep. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue