Sheep
Ovis aries
Natural Habitat
Domesticated. Adapted to a wide variety of pastures and hillsides.
Where I'm Found
Domesticated livestock found globally. They were likely domesticated from the wild Mouflon in the fertile crescent of the Middle East.
What I Eat
Ruminant herbivores (grazers).
- Wild: Grasses, legumes, and forbs.
- Zoo: Hay, pasture grass, and sheep pellets.
How Long I Live
- Wild: 10 – 12 years
- Captivity: 12 – 15 years
Fun Facts
- Memory: Sheep have excellent memories and can recognize up to 50 individual sheep and human faces for years.
- Rectangular Pupils: Their pupils allow for wide peripheral vision to spot predators while grazing.
- Mob Instinct: They have a strong flocking instinct and will follow a leader blindly, even into danger.
Meet Our Friends
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