Lamb Itsy Bitsy 8cm

Physical Characteristics
Sheep vary a huge amount depending on breed. Wild sheep are largely variations of brown hues, and variation within species is extremely limited. Colours of domestic sheep range from pure white to dark chocolate brown and even spotted or black and white, and the presence and nature of horns also varies. The average life expectancy of a sheep is 10 to 12 years, though some sheep may live as long as 20 years. Sheep have good hearing, and have horizontal slit-shaped pupils, with excellent peripheral vision, allowing them to see behind themselves without turning their heads!

Habitat
Ideal pasture for sheep is not lawn-like grass, but an array of grasses, legumes and forbs. Types of land where sheep are raised vary widely, from pastures that are seeded and improved intentionally to rough, native lands.

Behaviour
Sheep have a strong lead-follow tendency, and a leader often is simply the first sheep to move. However, sheep do establish a pecking order through physical displays of dominance. Dominant animals are inclined to be more aggressive with other sheep, and usually feed first at troughs. The sheep's very strong flock instinct has caused them to be labelled as stupid creatures, however they are actually intelligent animals.

Breeding
Sheep follow a similar reproductive strategy to other herd animals. A group of ewes is generally mated by a single ram, who has either been chosen by a breeder or has established dominance through physical contest with other rams. Sheep are pregnant for about 5 months before giving birth. Most lambs will begin standing within an hour of birth and nurse after standing, receiving vital colostrum milk.

Diet
Sheep are herbivorous, eating a variety of different grasses, plants and grains.

Strange and Interesting Facts
In New Zealand, where sheep farming is a huge industry, the sheep population outnumbers the human one 12 to 1!