What's the difference between a sheep and goat?

About 50 IQ points (favoring sheep), according to George.


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Separating the Sheep from the Goats



While sheep and goats have many similarities, they are two distinct species and genus. Sheep (Ovis Aries) have 54 chromosomes, while goats (Capra Hircus) have 60. Fertile sheep-goat hybrids are rare.
Hybrids made in the laboratory are called chimeras.


Sheep say baa (wav file). Goats say maa (wav file).



Look at Their Tails

The easiest way to tell the difference between a sheep and a goat is to look at their tails. A goat's tail will go up (unless the goat is frightened, sick, or in distress). Sheep tails hang down and are often docked (cut off) for health and sanitary reasons.

goat with tail up
Goat tails go up.
lamb with tail
Sheep tails hang down.


Grazing vs. Browsing

One of the biggest differences between sheep and goats is their feeding behavior and diet selection. Goats are natural browsers, preferring to eat leaves, twigs, vines, and shrubs. They are very agile and will stand on their hind legs to eat vegetation. Sheep are grazers, preferring to eat short, tender grass and clover. They like weeds and can graze very close to the soil surface.

 

goats browsing
Browsers

 

sheep grazing 
Grazers



Who's Smarter?

Sheep and goats behave quite differently. People often say that goats are "smart" because they are very curious and inquisitive. They are more independent than sheep, who are usualy aloof to people. People often say that sheep are "stupid" because of their strong "flock mentality." A sheep will become very agitated if it is separated from the rest of the flock. However, it is this flocking behavior that provides their best defense against predators. Neither species is smart or stupid. They are just characterized by different types of behavior that enhances their survival in the wild.



Goat on rock 
Independent


Sheep flock 
Flock mentality
Click HERE to learn more differences
between sheep and goats.
 


. . New Words . .

Genus - a group of closely related species.

Species - a group of organisms which are capable of interbreeding to produce viable offspring.

Chimera - an animal formed from two different animals, that is from two different embryonic sources.

Chromosomes - a structure in the nucleus of cells which contains genes (genetic material).

Hybrid - the offspring of two animals or plants of different races, breeds, varieties, species, or genera.

Grazer - an animal that eats grasses and other ground-growing non-woody plants.

Browser - an animal that eats highly nutritious twigs and shrubs.

 




 


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Last updated 15-Feb-2005 by Susan Schoenian.

 

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