Domestic Sheep is one of the mammals visitors can discover in Muddy Duck Farm at Flamingo Land. Its natural range is associated with Asia. Its scientific name is Ovis Aries.
Diet
Sheep are ruminant grazers that primarily eat grasses and other low vegetation, digesting fibre with a specialised multi-chambered stomach.
Habitat and range
Domestic sheep are kept in grassland, hill country and farms worldwide and need shelter, clean water and suitable pasture.
Behaviour and adaptations
They are strongly social flock animals and can recognise other sheep and familiar people.
Conservation
The conservation status recorded for this entry is Least Concern. Domestic sheep are not threatened, but traditional breeds can be conserved as valuable agricultural genetic resources. Conservation classifications can change when new assessments are published.
What to look for
Observe flocking behaviour, grazing technique, cloven hooves and the texture of the fleece. Individual animals can choose when to rest, feed or move out of view, so sightings vary through the day. Check the daily programme for keeper talks and current information about the animals in the collection.