沙漠大角羊，内华达州火焰谷州立公园，美国 Desert bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada (© Rachid Dahnoun/Cavan Images)

沙漠大角羊，内华达州火焰谷州立公园，美国 Desert bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada (© Rachid Dahnoun/Cavan Images)

岩石间的生存之道 Rocky relationship

火焰谷州立公园的沙漠大角羊

沙漠中的大角羊是大自然的登山高手，它们能轻松攀爬悬崖，优雅穿行于崎岖的岩石地形。作为北美的原生物种，大角羊以其独特的卷曲羊角闻名，羊角重量可达30磅。雄羊会用巨大的羊角进行激烈的撞角较量，在这些对决中，它们能以每小时20英里的速度相互冲撞。相比之下，雌羊更加低调，通常会与幼崽组成小群体。大角羊适应了沙漠环境，能长时间不饮水，主要依靠植物中的水分生存。

今日图片中的火焰谷州立公园，是内华达州观赏这些沙漠居民的最佳地点之一。公园因其在阳光下宛如燃烧的红色砂岩地貌而得名。除了壮丽的自然景观，公园还承载着重要的历史意义，其中保存着古代原住民留下的岩画。此外，它因在流行文化中的地位而广为人知，例如电影《星际迷航：世代交替》的部分场景便是在此取景。游览此地时，不妨留意周围的岩石露头，或许会发现一只大角羊正在静静地注视着你。

Desert bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Nature's desert navigators—desert bighorn sheep—are a marvel to watch, effortlessly scaling cliffs and navigating rocky terrains with grace. Native to North America, these sheep are known for their distinctive curled horns, which can weigh up to 30 pounds. Rams use their massive horns in intense head-butting contests. During these battles, they hurl themselves at each other in charges of up to 20 miles per hour. Ewes, on the other hand, tend to keep things more low-key, forming smaller groups with their lambs. Adapted to the desert environment, the desert bighorn sheep sub-species can go long periods without water, relying on moisture from plants to survive.

Valley of Fire State Park, seen in today's image, is one of the best spots in Nevada to observe these desert dwellers. This park is named for its fiery red sandstone formations that seem to glow under the sun. Beyond its natural beauty, the park holds deep historical significance, with petroglyphs left by ancient Indigenous peoples. It has also earned a place in pop culture as a filming location for scenes from 'Star Trek Generations.' Keep an eye on the rocky outcrops during your visit—you might spot a bighorn sheep observing you.