The horns of a ram can tell much about him such as his age, health, and fighting history. The desert subspecies, Ovis canadensis nelsoni, is somewhat smaller and has flatter, wider-spreading horns. The pelage of Ovis canadensis is smooth and composed of an outer coat of brittle guard hairs and short, grey, crimped fleece underfur. The summer coat is a rich, glossy brown but it becomes quite faded by late winter. Bighorn sheep are very alert and have remarkable eyesight that allows them to judge distances accurately in jumping and locating footholds.
Reproduction Rutting season is in the autumn and early winter, and births take place in the spring.
Mating for the desert bighorn, however, can last from July to December. Gestation lasts from 150-180 days, and litters contain between 1 and 4 young. Newborns are precocial and are able to follow their mothers at a good pace over the rocky terrain after the first week. Within a few weeks of birth, offspring form bands of their own, seeking out their mothers only to suckle occasionally. They are completeley weaned by 4-6 months of age.