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Bighorn Sheep Trivia Quiz

Bighorn Sheep are wonderful and beautiful creatures. What do you know about them? Note for this quiz: A male bighorn sheep is called a ram, and a female bighorn is called an ewe.

A multiple-choice quiz by niffweed17. Estimated time: 5 mins.

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Author
niffweed17

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
168,673

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
893

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In which U.S. state is bighorn sheep the state mammal?

Answer: (One Word, a state)

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Question 2 of 10

2. What determines dominance of a ram in a herd of bighorn sheep? Hint

Age

Horn size

Strength

Democratic election

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Question 3 of 10

3. Do rams usually battle to the death when fighting for an ewe?

Yes

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Question 4 of 10

4. Do rams and ewes have different life spans?

Yes

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Question 5 of 10

5. In which of the following habitats would a bighorn sheep least likely be found? Hint

In the middle of a desert

At sea level in a wet area with a lot of rainfall

On a mountain slope or in a mountainous area

In Yellowstone National Park

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Question 6 of 10

6. How long is the typical gestation period of bighorn sheep? Hint

About 8 months

About 4 months

About 10 months

About 6 months

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the approximate length of a ram's horn? Hint

50-60 inches

30-40 inches

10-20 inches

5-8 inches

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the scientific name of the bighorn sheep?

Answer: (Two Words, exclude subspecies)

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Question 9 of 10

9. Bighorn sheep have fantastic eyesight.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. What is believed to be the reason for "brooming," or intentional removal of the ends of the horns of a ram? Hint

To look like a fierce battler and urge challengers away

To change the color of their fleece

To make their horns look better

To preserve peripheral vision

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which U.S. state is bighorn sheep the state mammal?

Answer: Colorado

I think that the state of Colorado should be commended for their thoughtfulness and protection of such an interesting creature. Unfortunately, bighorn sheep hunting is legal nonetheless in Colorado and many other western states where bighorns live.

2. What determines dominance of a ram in a herd of bighorn sheep?

Answer: Horn size

Bighorn sheep seem to value size of the ram's horn in leadership. It seems to me a funny thing to judge people by.

3. Do rams usually battle to the death when fighting for an ewe?

Answer: No

Many people have heard of the battles between rams, if not heard them directly, as they are quite loud. The two rams attack each other by skull to skull contact. But when one ram is exhausted or physically unable to continue he will walk away and allow the other ram to claim his ewe.

4. Do rams and ewes have different life spans?

Answer: Yes

Rams will usually live from 8-10 years, and ewes will usually live for 9-12 years.

5. In which of the following habitats would a bighorn sheep least likely be found?

Answer: At sea level in a wet area with a lot of rainfall

Bighorn sheep in America can be found in deserts as well as mountains. Although technically the same animal, clearly desert bighorns and Rocky Mountain bighorns live very different lives due to their differing needs. Yellowstone National Park might be a good place to see Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, as it is highly elevated.

6. How long is the typical gestation period of bighorn sheep?

Answer: About 6 months

The mating season of the bighorn sheep is in usually in early winter from late October to Early January, so the majority of the offspring will usually emerge in March, April, May, or June.

7. What is the approximate length of a ram's horn?

Answer: 30-40 inches

The circumference of the horn at its base is an incredible 13 inches, and the horns can weigh up to 30 lbs.!
(39 inches is one meter)

8. What is the scientific name of the bighorn sheep?

Answer: Ovis canadensis

As desert bighorns and Rocky Mountain bighorns are really the same sheep, a subspecies is needed to distinguish scientifically between the two. Rocky mountain bighorns are called Ovis canadensis canadensis, while there are several subspecies of desert bighorns. A few are Ovis canadensis mexicana and Ovis canadensis nelsoni.

9. Bighorn sheep have fantastic eyesight.

Answer: True

Bighorn sheep have outstanding eyesight, and this can easily be proven by trying to sneak up on one. It's almost impossible, unless of course the bighorn is unable to flee to any location. The bighorn is very shy of humans, and apparently with good reason, as humans have driven them away from their habitats.

10. What is believed to be the reason for "brooming," or intentional removal of the ends of the horns of a ram?

Answer: To preserve peripheral vision

None of the other options really make sense, as a ram with broomed horns would seem to me to be a liability and a sign of weakness, but actually it is quite common, so it is ignored in the bighorn sheep community. The ram does this usually by grinding its horns against rocks or other objects.

Source: Author niffweed17

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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