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urial
The Urial (Ovis orientalis vigneiICZN (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature) [http://www.iczn.org/BZNMar2003opinions.htm opinion 2027] group) is a subpecies group of the wild sheep Ovis orientalis. Populations of Ovis orientalis can be partitioned into the Mouflons (orientalis group) and Urials or Arkars (vignei group):. The Urial is also known as Shapo or Arkhar. Noticeable features are the reddish-brown long fur that will fade during the winter. Males are characterized by a black ruff stretching from the neck to the chest and significantly larger horns. It is found in western central Asia.
Physical characteristics
Urial males have large horns, curling outwards from the top of the head turning in to end somewhere behind the head, females have shorter, compressed horns. The horns of the males may grow to be up 1 metre. The average shoulder height of an adult male Urial lies somewhere between 80 and 90 centimeters.Distribution
The Urial is found in western central Asia from northeastern Iran and western Kazakhstan to Balochistan and Ladakh. To the east they are displaced by the bigger Argalis and to the southwest by the Asiatic Mouflons. The habitat consists of grassy slopes below the timberline. Urials rarely move to the rocky areas of the mountains. For example in northern Iran they produce hybrids with Asiatic mouflon under natural conditions. Urials feed mainly on grass but are able to eat leaves of trees and bushes if needed. The conservation status of the Urial is threatened as their habitat is perfectly suitable for human development; the Urial population has been recovering the last few years though.Behaviour
The mating season begins in September. During mating the rams (which live in their own herds when not mating) will select 4-5 ewes, who will give birth to one or two lambs after 5 months.Subspecies
The scientific classification of the Urial is disputed [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ovis_vignei.html], but the Urial can be said to fit into the taxonomic classifications of Ovis vignei.- Afghan Urial or Turkmenian sheep, (Ovis vignei cycloceros): southern Turkmenistan, eastern Iran, Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, Kashmir
- Transcaspian Urial, (Ovis vignei arkal): Ustjurt-Plateau (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, northern Iran) and western Kazakhstan
- Blanford Urial or Balochistan Urial, (Ovis vignei blanfordi): Balochistan are often included in this subspecies.
- Bukhara Urial, (Ovis vignei bochariensis): Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, mountains around Amu Darya
- Punjab Urial, (Ovis vignei punjabiensis): Punjab
- Ladakh Urial, (Ovis vignei vignei): Ladakh males have curly horns but the females have flat horns
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