Top 10 Incredible Sheep Facts

Sheep

Sheep Facts
03 Jul, 2024

Sheep are domesticated mammals commonly kept as livestock. Belonging to the order Artiodactyla, these Baa buddies are believed to have descended from the Asiatic species of Mouflon.

With over 1,000 breeds, sheep are intelligent mammals with remarkable memory capabilities. Surprising, isn’t it? There are several other astonishing sheep facts that might amaze you. We’ve meticulously compiled some incredible facts about sheep to highlight some of their incredible characteristics.

Top 10 Incredible Facts About Sheep

1: There Are Over 1000 Breeds of Sheep

There are over 1,000 breeds of sheep, with more than 50 breeds in the United States alone. These breeds can be classified into three main categories: fine wool, medium wool, and coarse wool (long wool). 

  • Fine wool breeds, such as the Merino, account for over 50% of the world’s sheep population. These wools are used to make sweaters, blankets, fine yarns, hats, gloves, socks, and more. 
  • Medium wool breeds provide strong and long-lasting fiber that blends with finer wool products to provide extra-soft fleece to the blankets or heavy yarn for scarves.
  • Coarse wool breeds are used in wool rugs, table runners, saddle blankets, car floors, heat pads, and more. 

2: Sheep’s Pupils Are Rectangular with a Nearly 360-Degree Field of Vision.

Sheep possess rectangular pupils, a unique trait that grants them exceptional peripheral vision. With their eyes situated on the sides of their heads, sheep can achieve a remarkable field of vision ranging from 270 to 360 degrees. This extensive visual range enables them to maintain constant vigilance over their surroundings and detect potential predators while grazing without the need to move their heads.

3: Sheep Features a Divided Upper Lip With a Distinct Groove

One of the surprising sheep facts is their divided upper lip, known as a philtrum. This unique feature plays a crucial role in their grazing behavior. As grazers, sheep prefer to carefully select their food from the soil. The philtrum aids these selective grazers to avoid plants with no nutritional value, allowing them to choose food that meets their dietary needs.

4: Sheep Are Known to Self-Medicate for Certain Illnesses

Evidence of self-medication in animals is mostly observational. A study tested lambs’ ability to select protective chemicals after consuming foods that caused discomfort. Lambs can choose certain foods as medication when needed. This suggests that sheep can self-medicate, which is also known as zoopharmacognosy and homeostasis.

5: Sheep Are Deeply Social Creatures

Sheep form strong social bonds and prefer staying with their group rather than grazing alone. A group of sheep is called a flock. Sheeps do not form flocks just for predator protection; rather their social nature is vital to their well-being. Sheep experience distress when isolated from their social group.

6: Sheep Usually Undergo Shearing Annually

Sheep grow wool continuously to shield them from the changing weather.  Sheep shearing is the process of cutting off the woolen fleece of a sheep. Each adult sheep is typically shorn once a year. Shearing often takes place in a specially designed shed. Depending on climate and management needs, shearing can be done in all seasons, including winter.

7: Sheep Are Highly Intelligent and Have Excellent Memories

  • Face recognition: Sheep can recognize up to 50 other sheep faces and human faces, including those of their favorite caregivers, and remember them for up to two years. These brainy creatures can identify these faces at different ages and from various angles, showcasing their impressive memory and recognition skills.
  • Learning and cognition: Sheep show competence in many cognitive domains, excelling in executive function and face perception, comparable to some primates.
  • Executive function: Similar to humans, sheep can adjust their thinking and behavior when faced with new situations or changes in their environment, demonstrating advanced problem-solving abilities.

8: Sheep Don’t Have Top Teeth in Their Mouths

One amazing sheep fact is that, despite being renowned for their grazing capabilities, sheep lack upper front teeth. These “baa buddies” have 32 permanent teeth, including eight incisors and 24 molars. Instead of front teeth in their upper jaw, they have a fibrous pad. Sheep use their tongues and lower incisors to effectively chew their food against this pad.

9: Sheep Are Herbivores

Sheep are herbivores by nature, primarily grazing on grass and short roughage while avoiding the taller, woody parts of plants. They use their lips and tongues to selectively choose the most digestible and nutritious parts of plants. In addition to grass, sheep may also consume wheat and other grain crops.

10: Sheep Were One of the First Animals To Be Domesticated

Sheep were among the first animals domesticated by humans. Domestication occurred between 11,000 and 8,000 BCE in Mesopotamia. Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. They were typically domesticated for meat, milk, and skin.

Conclusion

Sheep are highly intelligent mammals and were among the first animals to be domesticated. Their wool is the most widely used animal fiber, obtained through a process called sheep shearing. Sheep possess a remarkable 360-degree field of vision and have the ability to self-medicate their wounds. These fascinating facts about sheep highlight their unique capabilities and will undoubtedly leave you amazed by these remarkable domestic animals.

FAQs

What are 5 interesting facts about sheep?

1. There are over 1000 breeds of sheep.
2. Sheep’s pupils are rectangular and have nearly a 360-degree field of vision.
3. The sheep features a divided upper lip with a distinct groove.
4. Sheep are known to self-medicate for certain illnesses.
5. Sheep usually undergo shearing annually.

What do sheep eat?

Sheep are herbivores, and they primarily graze on grass and short roughage. They can also eat wheat and grass blocks.

Do sheep have 360 vision?

Yes, sheep have 360-degree vision. Because their eyes are at the sides of their heads, they cover their surroundings 360 degrees.

Do sheep self-medicate when they are sick?

Yes, sheep have the ability to self-medicate their illness.

Do sheep have teeth on top?

No, sheep don’t have teeth on their upper jaws.

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