What is Marco Polo sheep?
'''Marco Polo sheep''' (''Ovis ammon polii'') is a wild [[Ovis|sheep]], and a subspecies of the [[Argali]]. It takes its name from famed explorer Marco Polo who described the species during his crossing of Pamir (ancient Mount Imeon) in 1271. The Marco Polo sheep is particularly known for its long horns. The longest horn ever found on a sheep was found on a Marco Polo sheep and measured 191 centimeters (75 inches). The sheep is unofficially the [[List of national animals|National animal]] of [[Afghanistan]]. [[Image:Marco polo sheep line drawing.jpg|thumb|Engraving of a Marco Polo sheep, ''c.'' 1883]] ==Related pages== {{commons|Ovis ammon}} *[[Argali]] {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Sheep]] [[Category:Mammals of Pakistan]] [[Category:Plants and animals of Kashmir]] it was named after Marco polo its scientific name is Ovis ammon polii .They can reach 2 meters in length horns starts to grow after 15 to 20 days after birth. number of rings on the horn indicates age of the male sheep The argali or mountain sheep (Ovis ammon) is a wild sheep. It lives in the highlands of Central Asia (Himalaya, Tibet, Altay). It is the biggest wild sheep. It stands as high as 120 cm. It weights as much as 140 kg. The Pamir argali (also called Marco Polo sheep, for they were first described by that traveller) may be more than 2 meters in length. It is globally endangered.