Laristan Sheep

Laristan Sheep (Ovis orientalis laristanica) are the smallest wild sheep in the world.

Laristan wild sheep inhabit the Desert Mountains and hills of the Laristan and Fars

provinces of south/southeastern Iran. Their normal habitats are steep mountainous

woods near tree lines. In winter, they migrate to lower altitudes.

Horns are similar to the urial’s, curving down by the side of its head with the tips

pointing forward and with relatively sharp-angled frontal surfaces. Adult rams can

measure as much as 32 inches (81 cm) at the shoulder and weigh up to 140 pounds

(64 kg). The horns are homonymous and have a flat frontal surface with sharp edges.

Females have very small horns up to ten inches (25 cm) in length and 4-1/2 inches

(11 cm) in circumference. This mouflon has a whitish saddle patch, no bib and a short

black ruff on its neck and chest. The summer coat is straw-brown, turning darker

brown with a narrow white saddle patch in winter.

They are usually seen in herds consisting of ewes, lambs and non-adult males. Mating

season is during fall and females prefer to mate with males with tallest and biggest

horns. In breeding season, the male and female groups usually combine together. The

gestation period’s 165 days and usually 1 to 2 lambs are born and males leave ewes and lambs after mating.