Aoudad

 Native Land Northern Africa
Average Weight 200 lb
Average Height 3.5 ft
Diet Grasses, plants, roots

Native to dry mountainous, desert regions in northern Africa and subsisting on grasses, scrub plants and roots, the Aoudad adapt easily to rough barren and waterless habitats. They metabolically produce water and, therefore, can survive long periods without fresh water. These expert climbers live in small groups and are capable of ascending the steepest of slopes.  They are more active during the cooler times of the day, seeking shelter from the sun during the hotter periods in the day.

The scientific name Ammotragus lervia, is the Greek name for this goat-sheep like animal. Deciphered, the word means: “ammos” for sand, describing the color of the animals’ coat; “tragos” for goat; and “lervia” derived from the description of wild sheep found in northern Africa.

The aoudad is said to evenly link the gap separating the goat and sheep. Aoudads are cited for having an even number of traits representative of both species, plus an additional ten traits strictly unique to themselves.

They were first brought to the United States in 1900 and are raised mainly in zoos and on private preserves. In the 1950's they were released into the wilds of New Mexico and later into Texas.

At shoulder height the Aoudad measures between 2.5 and 3.7 feet tall, with weight ranging between 80 and 320 pounds. They have short, sandy colored coats that are a bit lighter color on their undersides. Both males and females have a long fringe of hair at their throats and on their short tails. Only the males have long hair on their chests and front legs.  The thick, triangular horns on both the male and female aoudad curl back, up and over their heads in a semi-circle and often reach 36 inches in length.  

When the possession of a female is at stake, the bucks (male) will use their horns and heads as ramming machines, locking horns with the intent of forcing the opponent to the ground. The bucks start several yards apart, then with increasing speed walk towards each other, lowering their heads and ramming each other with unflinching might. Peculiarly, if one of the two is not prepared for the ramming, the other will not attack.

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