Overview
A breed, or breeds, of short-tailed, woolly domestic sheep in which the male normally has four horns, though sometimes as many as five or six. The two upper horns are larger and can grow in almost any direction; the two lower horns are smaller and are usually mouflon-shaped. A great variety of horn configurations can occur, even in the same flock. Females are hornless in some areas, but may grow short, mouflon-shaped horns in other areas. Multi-horned sheep come in a variety of colors, including shades of black, brown, gray and white, and many individuals are piebald (spotted or blotched). The fleece, or the coat, weighs approximately 3 to 6 pounds and is rather soft and springy. Horn size averages 32-40 inches on mature males.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Ovis
- Species
- Domestic sheep, Ovis aries
Habitat
Grassy flatlands and fields below the tree line.
Diet
Grasses and forbs.
Behavior
They do not exhibit strong flocking behavior. Males will fight and may break off horns.
Hunting
They can be hunted in a variety of ways depending on the location.
Conservation Status
More information needed.