The sheep (Ovis aries) is a domesticated ruminant mammal widely kept for wool, meat, and milk. Domestication began around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, making sheep one of the earliest livestock species managed by humans. Today, they are found on every continent except Antarctica, with hundreds of breeds adapted to different climates and purposes.
Adult sheep typically weigh between 45 and 160 kilograms, depending on breed and sex. They are grazing herbivores with a four-chambered stomach, allowing them to digest fibrous plants through fermentation. Wool is their most distinctive product, and selective breeding has produced varieties with specialized fleece qualities.
Sheep are highly social herd animals that rely on flocking behavior for protection. They communicate through vocalizations, scent, and body movements, and are known for strong maternal instincts.
Culturally, sheep have long been associated with pastoral life, agriculture, and religious symbolism, often representing innocence, sacrifice, and renewal.
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