Sheep are lovable and, above all, useful domestic animals, without which animal husbandry in mountainous areas cannot be imagined. Sheep also have some very interesting features. You may have heard of some, but we are sure that you did not know certain things about sheep. We have prepared for you the 6 most interesting facts about sheep.
1. A sheep’s fleece is constantly growing
Back in 2004, a merino sheep hid in a cave for six years so it wouldn’t have to be sheared. When they did corner her, they cut her hair while broadcasting it on New Zealand television, and there was enough wool to make as many as 20 men’s suits.
In 2015, a sheep named Kris that was found in Canberra, Australia, produced 89 kilograms of fleece. Unlike wild sheep or “hairy sheep” (breeds that shed naturally), the wool of domestic breeds like merino will just keep growing.
A sheep, depending on the breed, can produce between 1 kg and 13 kg of wool per year.
SHEPHERD BREEDING: Everything you need to know about raising and caring for sheep! (Compilation)
2. Their vision covers almost 360 degrees
Sheep have rectangular pupils that give them incredible peripheral vision – their field of vision is estimated to be between 270 and 320 degrees. This is an incredible advantage for animals that can easily fall prey to predators.
3. Some sheep are homosexual
Although there are cases of homosexuality in almost all animal species, sheep are specific. In herds of domestic sheep, up to eight percent of males prefer other males, even when there are fertile females around them, which speaks in favor of the tendency to cohabit with a same-sex partner.
4. Sheep have a FILTER
The upper lip of the sheep has a pronounced groove that divides the left and right sides, which is called philtrum. Sheep are very selective in grazing, preferring leaves to stems, and their philtrum helps them get closer to the ground when feeding, which is an advantage over other ruminants that cannot get down that low.
5. When they fall on their backs, they cannot get back to their feet by themselves
Sheep that are skinny, obese or have a thick fleece have a problem righting themselves if they somehow fall on their backs. If you see an overturned sheep, it is likely that it is stressed and panicking, so find the owner or somehow help it turn over.
6. There are historical connections between sheep and US presidents
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison raised sheep. Madison wore a coat made of sheep’s wool. Woodrow Wilson kept a flock of sheep at the White House during World War I to regulate grass cutting and reduce maintenance costs in support of the war effort.
Source: Modern Farmer
Source: www.agromedia.rs
