Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn SheepBighorn SheepBighorn SheepBighorn Sheep

Bighorn Sheep

Ovis canadensis

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered Endemic
60–70% · Likely
overall probability at Banff National Park
1,095 Verified records at Banff National Park
December Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) or bighorn is a species of sheep native to North America. It is named for its large horns. A pair of horns may weigh up to 14 kg (30 lb); the sheep typically weigh up to 143 kg (315 lb). Recent genetic testing indicates three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: O. c. sierrae. Sheep originally crossed to North America over the Bering Land Bridge from Siberia; the population in North America peaked in the millions, and the bighorn sheep entered into the mythology of Native Americans. Wikipedia →

60–70% of wildlife watchers report a Bighorn Sheep sighting in Banff National Park, based on 1,095 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Banff National Park

Mountain Goat
LC

Mountain Goat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Oreamnos americanus

20–30% · Possible
American Bison
NT

American Bison

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Bison bison

Insufficient data
Elk
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

60–70% · Likely
Mule Deer
LC Endemic

Mule Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus hemionus

40–50% · Likely
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

20–30% · Possible
Elk
LC

Elk

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces alces

10–20% · With luck
Moose

Moose

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Alces americanus

Insufficient data
Caribou
VU Endemic

Caribou

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rangifer tarandus

Insufficient data

📅 Monthly Probability

50–60
Jan
60–70
Feb
60–70
Mar
70–80
Apr
70–80
May
70–80
Jun
60–70
Jul
60–70
Aug
60–70
Sep
60–70
Oct
70–80
Nov
70–80
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Badlands National Park 🇺🇸 United States
90–100%
2 Jasper National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
70–80%
3 Zion National Park 🇺🇸 United States
60–70%
4 Glacier National Park 🇺🇸 United States
60–70%
5 Banff National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
60–70%
6 Grand Canyon National Park 🇺🇸 United States
60–70%
7 Yellowstone National Park 🇺🇸 United States
40–50%
8 Death Valley National Park 🇺🇸 United States
40–50%
9 Joshua Tree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
30–40%
10 Rocky Mountain National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
11 Bahía de Loreto National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
20–30%
12 Grand Teton National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
13 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
14 El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
15 Yosemite National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
16 Great Bear Rainforest 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Bighorn Sheep in Banff National Park?

About 67% of wildlife watchers report a Bighorn Sheep sighting in Banff National Park, based on 1,095 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Bighorn Sheep in Banff National Park?

December has the highest sighting rate for Bighorn Sheep in Banff National Park in our monthly data.

← Back to Banff National Park