Ovis vignei, commonly known as the urial, is a wild sheep native to Central and South Asia. It inhabits grassy slopes and semi-desert regions. Distinguished by its impressive, spiraled horns, the urial exhibits a reddish-brown coat that changes with the seasons. They are social animals, often found in herds, and play a crucial role in their ecosystem by grazing and maintaining plant diversity.

Ovis vignei, commonly known as the Urial, is native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Its geographical distribution includes countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India, southwestern Tajikistan, and parts of Iran. The species is also found in specific regions like the Hindu Kush and the western Himalayas.

The Urial typically inhabits open, dry mountain slopes, and foothills. It is adapted to environments ranging from semi-desert to grassland steppe conditions, often found at altitudes between 600 to 3,600 meters. The climate in these regions is generally arid to semi-arid, with hot summers and cold winters.

Ovis vignei occupies a niche as a herbivore, primarily grazing on grasses, herbs, and shrubs. Its adaptations to steep and rugged terrain help it escape predators and access scarce water sources in its arid habitat. Subspecies of Urial may exhibit slight variations in habitat preferences due to local environmental conditions.