Sheep

Sheep (scientific name: Ovis aries) are livestock and a type of ruminant that graze on grass. They are among the earliest animals domesticated by humans. Sheep are valued for meat, milk, wool, and hides.

Sheep are docile livestock, making them relatively easy to herd and move to a single location. This has made sheep herding appealing to both pastoral and settled farming communities. Sheep are found in Somalia, the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Physical characteristics

Sheep have a medium-sized body covered in wool or coarse hair, depending on the breed selected. They are grazers and eat grass, small shrubs, and dry vegetation. Their stomach has four chambers, which allow them to regurgitate and digest tough plant matter. Male sheep are called rams, females are called ewes, and young sheep are called lambs.

Domestication and history

Sheep are believed to originate from wild sheep in the Middle East and Central Asia, particularly the mouflon species. Domestication began thousands of years ago, around the time when farming and herding began in the Middle East. They subsequently spread to Europe, Africa, and Asia through human migration.

Economic value

Sheep provide meat, milk (sometimes made into cheese), wool used for clothing and rope, and hides. In Somalia and East African countries, the export of live sheep to Arabian Peninsula markets is one of the largest sources of livestock export revenue. Sheep also hold religious and cultural significance, such as in sacrifice and celebration.

Health and management

Sheep are susceptible to various diseases and internal parasites, requiring ongoing treatment and parasite control. Their management depends on access to water, pasture, and shelter from extreme heat or cold. Drought and pasture scarcity are factors affecting sheep populations in pastoral regions.