Biology:Cyprus mouflon
| Ovis orientalis ophion | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Caprinae |
| Tribe: | Caprini |
| Genus: | Ovis |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | O. o. ophion
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Ovis orientalis ophion Blyth, 1841
| |
The Cyprus mouflon (Ovis orientalis ophion), also known as Cypriot mouflon, is an endangered subspecies of mouflon endemic only to Cyprus in the mountains of Paphos District.[1] It is the largest animal on the island, a meter tall (at the shoulder), and due to its uniqueness and rarity it is the national animal of Cyprus.[2][3]
History
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Etymology
It is also called agrino in the island from the Greek word (Αγρινό). The scientific name was proposed by Edward Blyth in 1841 for wild sheep in the Middle East.[4] In recent years its scientific name was changed after more in depth study.
Description
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The males can weight up to 50 kg and the females around 35 kg.[5]
Behavior
The Cypriot mouflon is a very cautious, shy and agile animal and is not easily approached by humans.[6] They move very fast on the steep slopes of the island and are very difficult to approach, especially when they are frightened. The males tend to stay alone. The female gives birth in April and May and usually either one or two lambs are born. They tend to live in small herds.
References
- ↑ "Cyprus mouflon a threatened_species". https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259740139.
- ↑ Rehan, Mahmood (2023-08-21). "Exploring the Cyprus National Animal" (in en-US). https://nationalopedia.com/exploring-the-cyprus-national-animal/.
- ↑ "Cyprus Mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion) – Ralfs' Wildlife and Wild Places" (in de). https://www.wilddocu.de/cyprus-mouflon-ovis-gmelini-ophion/.
- ↑ (in English) Annals and magazine of natural history : including zoology, botany and geology. London Natural History Museum Library. London. 1841. http://archive.org/details/annalsmagazineof07lond.
- ↑ iakovos-ioannou@outlook.com (2021-01-16). "The Cypriot Mouflon | Cyprus Passion" (in en-US). https://cypruspassion.net/the-cypriot-mouflon/,%20https://cypruspassion.net/the-cypriot-mouflon/.
- ↑ "A unique rare mammal that is found only in Cyprus". https://www.cyprusalive.com/en/cyprus-mouflon-ovis-orientalis-ophion.
Wikidata ☰ Q867506 entry
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