Sheep are grouped among the friendliest species on earth. They are known as the most clever and extra intelligent creature in the cattle group. The specific names given to male and female sheep animal are Ram and Ewe, respectively. While the baby sheep, that is not more than 14 month old, is called a lamb. Sheep are actively hunted mainly for getting their wool, which is extremely warm and highly demanded in the market. That's one of the reasons why sheep species are declining in many parts of the world, specially, the USA.

Types of Sheep

There are many types of sheep that are used for meat, milk and obtaining wool. One of such types, Africana, originated in Colombia and is also known as Colombian Wooless, Camura, Pelona, Red African, West African and Rojo Africana. It is hunted primarily for the purpose of obtaining delicious meat.

Another type of sheep is Alai, which is said to have originated from Kyrgyzstan and is hunted for meat and wool purposes. Another breed is that of Alpines Steinschaf that is of German origin. It is hunted for many purposes like meat, wool and managing vegetation. Ancon, also known as Otter sheep, originated in the United States of America.

Some other types of sheep include Arabi, Bardoka, Beltex, Bond, California Red, Cikta, Cormo, Dorset, Finnsheep, Galway, Hampshire, Icelandic sheep, Jacob, Karakul, Lincoln, Lohi, Lonk, Meatmaster, Merino, Najdi, Norfolk Horn, Ossimi, Oxford, Panama, Polypay, Poll Dorset, Racka, Rough Fell, Royal White, Sargin, Somali, Texel, Uda, Zulu and many more.

Sheep Facts

• Sheep are herbivorous and therefore mainly feed on vegetables, herbs, shrubs and so on.
• They possess a four chamber digestive system that ensures easy and quick digestion of whatever they take inside as food.
• One of the important sheep facts is that they have a very sharp memory and they are capable of remembering faces for years.
• They are a kind of emotional creatures and mostly possess and show their emotions through their ears.
• An interesting piece of sheep information is that they believe in self-medication and thus in case of illness they feed themselves certain plants that serve as cure for them. It is quite interesting fact regarding sheep, isn't it?
• Sheep are known as the most independent animal species.
• They feel and act as an independent animal right from their birth and mostly don't depend on any one for their feed and growth.
• Also they like to live in groups, and such a behavior proves their friendly nature.
• Mothers are known as the most caring beings among every kind of animal species.
• Mother sheep are extremely caring and protective towards their young babies.
• In case they go far away, they recognize them with their voice.
• Do you know that there is a little difference of height between the local sheep and the wild sheep? The wild sheep are a bit taller than the local sheep.
• Sheep are considered as something very sacred and blessed in Egypt.
• Egyptians possess so much respect for sheep that whenever their sheep die, they use to make a mummy of it just like they do with the human beings.
• Sheep are also used for experimental purposes especially in United Kingdom. It's was a sheep that was first used for cloning experiment.
• The largest number of sheep population is present in China, as of now.
• Since, sheep feel happy in groups therefore you can move them to new places with their fellow sheep quite easily. This proves their friendly and co-operative nature.

Where do sheep live?

The sheep lovers would definitely want to know about where do sheep live? Concerning the sheep habitat, they are easily found in agricultural lands and their certain enclosures in farms. If you are thinking to keep sheep in your lawn, make sure you give them a properly ventilated corral to stay in. Also, keep them clean and easily reachable from the living place so that you can always keep an eye on your pet.

Sheep pictures

Internet is the easiest and feasible source for any of you to get thousands and thousands of sheep pictures within no minutes. You can download as many such images as you like and place them at your system desktop to make it more appealing. The pictures can also be sent to all your friends who are crazy about animals specially sheep.