While bighorn sheep exist in other western mountain ranges, the Sierra Nevada subgroup is genetically distinct—the remaining 350 sheep are all that remain of the species.

Nevada has built the most robust population through dedicated conservation efforts. But Southern California’s wild sheep are hemmed into small islands surrounded by oceans of city.

4. Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Credit: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock) The Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep is an iconic symbol of the Sierra Nevada region and a subspecies of traditional bighorn sheep.

Nevada’s plants and animals are deeply intertwined with the region’s culture. The Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (the state animal) is synonymous with Nevada’s rugged and adaptable culture.

The Sierra Nevada experienced record snowfall in 2023, which killed at least 73 endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. The threat of avalanches will continue into the 21st century, according to new ...

Snow cover in the Sierra Nevada is expected to shrink overall as the climate warms, but avalanche frequency could remain the same or even increase at high elevations. That’s bad news for bighorn ...

Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep are well-adapted to snowy winters at high altitudes, Stephenson said. But several above-average snow years over the past decade have seriously hampered the species ...

Bighorn sheep face death by avalanche in Sierra Nevada range Snow cover in the Sierra Nevada is expected to shrink overall as the climate warms, but avalanche frequency could remain the same or ...

A survivor of three ice ages, the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep, with populations documented living 300,000 years ago, is now on the endangered species list. These majestic animals struggle on in small ...