| KORYAK SNOW SHEEP (Ovis nivicola koryakorum)
is one of the five Ovis nivicola subspecies which inhabits THE KAMCHATKA PENINSULA in the Far East of Russia. Kamchatka snow sheep is pale, almost white, and some American scientists suppose this species of snow sheep resembles the Dall Sheep of North America. This conclusion is based on the fact of discovering light almost white samples in this area.
Very few westerners had the opportunity to hunt snow sheep until 1988, when the Soviet (now Russian) government opened hunting on a limited basis. Occupy steep, rugged terrain with nearby grassy pastures. The most numerous concentration of the sheep is found on the plateau on the border of Chukotka and the Koryak region which gave the name to the species. Snow sheep have compact, muscular bodies and relatively short legs that are adapted to climbing precipitous terrain. The coat is coarse and brittle with each hair containing a sealed air pocket that serves as insulation. Hair texture is thick and wool-like and becomes very long and shaggy in winter. Snow sheep have distinct rump patches, but do not have saddle patches, bibs or neck ruffs. The tail is broad and dark. The horns are similar to those of the Dall and Stone sheep of North America, being brown or dark amber in color, fairly heavy and quite smooth, and with the frontal-orbital edge forming a prominent keel.
OKHOTSK SNOW SHEEP (Ovis nivicola alleni)
is one of the five Ovis nivicola subspecies and inhabits THE KHABAROVSK AREA of Russia. It's large, brownish-grey in color, resembling the North-American Stone Sheep of British Columbia. Adult rams can weigh more than 350 pounds. The horns form a spiral with a slight outward flare. Typical horns measure 35x13 inches. Occupy steep, rugged terrain with nearby grassy pastures of Jugdjur ridge and the southern part of Verkhoyansk ridge. |
