II.

Characteristics

Sheep are even-toed, hoofed animals. They are cud-chewing animals with the upper incisor teeth missing and with a four-compartmented stomach (see Artiodactyl). They have paired, hollow, unbranched horns that are not shed. The horns of the adult male, or ram, are massive and spirally curved. The horns of the adult female, or ewe, are short and only slightly curved.

Sheep typically have a long, fairly narrow muzzle and pointed ears. The length of the head and body averages about 1.5 m (about 5 ft), with a short tail, and an adult may weigh 75 to 200 kg (165 to 440 lb). In the wild, the animals are nimble runners and climbers. The female bears up to three young after a gestation period of about 150 days. Sheep live as long as 20 years.

Besides providing pelts and wool for clothing and carpets, meat in the form of lamb and mutton, and milk for drinking and cheesemaking, sheep are used to a limited extent as pack animals, and the wild species are hunted as game. Several distinct types and more than 800 breeds of domesticated sheep have been developed. The breeds are adapted to environments that range from desert to tropical conditions.