Sheep (Ovis aries)
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Caprinae
Genus: Ovis
Species: Ovis aries
Livestock Conservancy Conservation Status
Navajo-Churro – Threatened
Romeldale/CVM – Threatened
Range and Habitat
Domestic sheep are found worldwide and associated with humans.
Physical Features
Weight: Navajo-Churro, Males 120-175lbs (54.5-79.5kg); Females 85-120lbs (39-54.5kg)
Romeldale/CVM, Males 225-275lbs (102-125kg); Females 140-175lbs (64-180kg)
Navajo-Churro sheep are coarse, long wooled sheep. Colors range from white through every shade of the natural tones. They are long legged with narrow bodies and have two to four horns. Romeldale/CVM sheep are medium to large sheep that have a badger face pattern and are all natural colored sheep.
Diet
General grazers feeding on grasses however they are able to high fibrous foods that cannot be digested by many other animals.
Lifespan
10-12 years.
Reproduction
Sheep are seasonal breeders starting early fall running through midwinter. Estrus cycles range between 14-20 days while the male are fertile year round. Gestation is 148 days with one to two precocial lambs born. Both male and female lambs reach sexual maturity within one year.
Social Behavior and Interaction
Sheep have highly developed flocking/herding instinct with large groups of up to 1,000 or more moving over areas in groups. There are no distinct leaders within the group and sheep become stressed when separated from others within the flock.
Major Threats
No major threats.