The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of mammary glands, the presence of hair or fur; specialized teeth; the presence of a neocortex region in the brain; and endothermic or 'warm-blooded' bodies. The brain regulates endothermic and circulatory system, including a four-chambered heart. In India there are 410 species, 186 genera, 45 families and 13 orders of which nearly 89 species are listed as threatened in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 2006).

Ladakh urial (Ovis orientalis vignei), also known as shapo, is a subspecies of the wild sheep Ovis orientalis. It is found in western central Asia from northeastern Iran and western Kazakhstan to Pakistan's Balochistan and Ladakh regions of North India. Its habitat consists of grassy slopes below the timberline. Urials rarely move to the rocky areas of the mountains. Urials feed mainly on grass but are able to eat leaves of trees and bushes if needed.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable (VU) Photo: Sancturiesindia.com