Sheep: Gentle Guardians of the Pasture

Sheep are calm, friendly animals that have lived alongside people for thousands of years. We depend on them for wool, meat, and milk, making them one of our most important farm animals.

Scientific Information

Scientific Name: Ovis aries

Family: Bovidae

Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

Class: Mammalia

Lifespan: Typically, 10 to 12 years

Average Weight: Ranges from 45 to 160 kilograms, depending on the breed

Type: Domesticated farm animal

Sheep are ruminants, which means their unique four-part stomach allows them to break down tough grass that many other animals cannot eat.

Habits & Behavior

*   Sheep are very social and feel safest and happiest in a group, known as a flock.

*   As herbivores, they spend much of their day slowly grazing on grass.

*   They are most active during the day.

*   Their instinct to stay with the flock is very strong, and being alone causes them stress.

*   Communication happens through sight, body posture, and different vocal sounds.

Diet

A sheep’s diet consists mainly of:

*   Fresh grass and dried hay

*   Leaves and other leafy plants

*   Grains like corn or barley (often provided by farmers)

Fun Facts About Sheep

*   Sheep have a great memory for faces and can recognize their shepherd and other sheep friends.

*   Around the world, there are more than a thousand different breeds of sheep.

*   Every year, one sheep can grow enough wool to make several sweaters.

*   Their rectangular-shaped pupils give them a wide field of view to spot predators.

*   They use different bleats and sounds to express feelings like curiosity, hunger, or distress.