Wild Sheep

Taxonomy

Wild sheep belong to the genus _Ovis_ and are part of the family Bovidae. They are closely related to domestic sheep (_Ovis aries_) and are considered one of their two ancestors.

Species

The wild sheep species is commonly referred to as _Ovis orientalis_. However, it has been divided into several subspecies, including:

### Muflon Group
* _O. o. orientalis_ (Armenian muflone): found in the Caucasus region, north-western Iran, and southern Asia Minor.
+ Height: 88-94 cm
+ Horns: long spiral horns facing backwards, up to 67 cm in length

### Urial Group
* _O. o. orientalis_ (eastern urial): found in eastern regions of the wild sheep's range.

Distribution and Habitat

Wild sheep are found in mountainous and desert regions of western and central Asia. They have a vast range, which has led to the development of numerous subspecies with distinct characteristics.

Relationship with Domestic Sheep

Domestic sheep (_Ovis aries_) are believed to have originated from _Ovis orientalis_ around 11,000 years ago in Asia Minor. The domestication process likely occurred independently in multiple regions, resulting in different breeds and varieties.

Subspecies

There are eight recognized subspecies of wild sheep, divided into two groups: the muflon group and the urial group. These subspecies exhibit varying characteristics, such as horn shape and size, coat color, and body size.

Note: The statement in SOURCE 5 that mouflons are endemic to Brazil is incorrect, as they are actually found in Asia.