The scientific name for domesticated sheep is Ovis aries. An adult male sheep is called a ram, while an adult female is called a ewe. Baby sheep are called lambs, and are usually birthed one or two at a time. You might hear a group of sheep referred to as a “flock,” a “mob” or a “herd” – all are acceptable and used in various parts of the world. Find out more!

Sheep have an excellent sense of smell, and have scent glands both in front of their eyes and on their feet. These glands are used in reproduction and in marking territory.

They are almost exclusively grazing herbivores. Because they tend to eat invasive plants, herds of sheep are often used for conservation grazing (which is the practice of using grazing animals to maintain the biodiversity of natural habitats).

Though most assume that sheep are unintelligent because of the flock attitude, studies have shown that sheep are actually on par with cattle and just below pigs when it comes to their IQ. They can learn and recognize human faces, and some will learn to respond to their name if trained from a young age.

Most people know that sheep tend to flock together, but did you know that many breeds also stick to the same grazing spot? These sheep can be “hefted,” which means they are taught to graze in the same general area (called a “heft”). Lambs usually learn the heft from their mother, so the practice continues even as new lambs are added to the flock.