As a typical alpine animal, the blue sheep, or bharal, has a stout figure. Its strong hooves allow it to scamper up to the precipitous cliffs in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Their grayish or taupe coat enable it to blend perfectly into the rocky slopes and cliffs.

In the summer, the blue sheep prefers to eat fresh leaves on gentle slopes where the vegetation is flourishing. When the winter comes, it forages on mosses and lichens on the steep rocks as a substitute.  

The blue sheep is under second-class state protection in China.

For more:

Wildlife of Wolong: The elves of the forest

Wildlife of Wolong: the 'vegetarian' carnivore

Wildlife of Wolong: The solitary night hunter

Wildlife of Wolong: The 'rainbow' in the misty mountain

Wildlife of Wolong: The cute pika catcher

Wildlife of Wolong: The deer with 'vampire fangs'

(All photos taken by He Xiao'an, head of the Publicity Department of Wolong National Nature Reserve Administration in Sichuan Province)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)