Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Peninsular bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae

Listing Status:   

General Information

A medium-size bovid. Muscular body, with thick neck. Color varies from dark brown above in northern mountains to pale tan in desert; belly, rump patch, back of legs, muzzle, and eye patch are white. Short, dark brown tail. Coat sheds in patches June–July. Ram has massive brown horns that curve up and back over ears, then down, around, and up past cheeks in C-shaped "curl"; spread to 33" (83 cm). Ewe has short, slender horns that never form more than half-curl. Juvenile has soft, woolly, creamy-fawn coat. Ht

Lead Region:  California/Nevada Region (Region 8)
Date Listed: Mar 18, 1998
Where Listed: U.S.A. (CA) Peninsular Ranges

  • States/US Territories in which the Peninsular bighorn sheep, Peninsular CA pop. is known to occur:  California
  • US Counties in which the Peninsular bighorn sheep, Peninsular CA pop. is known to occur:  View All

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 16 : view all)
Date Citation Page Title
04/14/2009 74 FR 17287 17365 Designation of Critical Habitat for Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and Determination of a Distinct Population Segment of Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni)
03/25/2009 74 FR 12878 12883 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 58 Species in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah; Availability of Completed 5-Year Reviews in California and Nevada
08/26/2008 73 FR 50497 50529 Designation of Critical Habitat for the Peninsular Ranges Population of Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni); Proposed Rule
01/10/2005 70 FR 1737 1738 Notice of Intent to Scope for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit Associated with the Agua Calliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Habitat Conservation Plan, Riverside County, CA
02/01/2001 66 FR 8649 8677 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Determination of Critical Habitat for Peninsular Bighorn Sheep; Final Rule

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
10/25/2000 Recovery Plan for Bighorn Sheep in the Peninsular Ranges, California View Implementation Progress Final
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 2 of 2 )
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
03/25/2009 74 FR 12878 12883 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 58 Species in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah; Availability of Completed 5-Year Reviews in California and Nevada
  • Notice 5-year Review, Initiation
    • 12/29/1999 64 FR 73057 73058 Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Bighorn Sheep in the Peninsular Ranges for Review and Comment
  • Notice Recovery Plan Avail.

    • » Critical Habitat

    Current Critical Habitat Documents (Showing 4 of 4 )
    Date Citation Page Title Document Type Status
    04/14/2009 74 FR 17287 17365 Designation of Critical Habitat for Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and Determination of a Distinct Population Segment of Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) Final Rule Active
    08/26/2008 73 FR 50497 50529 Designation of Critical Habitat for the Peninsular Ranges Population of Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni); Proposed Rule Proposed Rule Not Required
    02/01/2001 66 FR 8649 8677 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Determination of Critical Habitat for Peninsular Bighorn Sheep; Final Rule Final Rule Not Required
    07/05/2000 65 FR 41405 41424 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Determination of Critical Habitat for the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Proposed Rule Not Required

    To learn more about critical habitat please see http://criticalhabitat.fws.gov

    » Conservation Plans

    Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) (learn more) (Showing 1 of 1 )
    HCP Plan Summaries
    Coachella Valley Multi-Species HCP

    » Petitions

    No petition findings have been published for the Peninsular bighorn sheep, Peninsular CA pop..

    » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: February 9, 2010