Harlequin Sheep
TYPE: Mammal
STATUS:
Least Concern
QUICK STATS
Body size
Pasture: 35-year-old breed
native habitat
Forests of Northern Mexico
life expectancy
10-12 years
diet
Grasses, weeds, herbs and shrubs
Reproduction
1-3 lambs
predators
Coyotes, cougars, bears, dogs, bobcats, foxes, wolves
natural defenses
Running
About the Species
Sheep are social animals that live in groups called flocks. Flocks tend to move together, either led by dominant sheep, a shepherd, or a herding dog.
Sheep have been raised for over 10,000 years for meat, fleece and milk. This breed was recently developed 35 years ago to be small, hardy and gentle with distinct black, brown and white patterns. More than 1,000 different breeds of sheep exist today.
Ovis aries
Wildlife Insights
WORD FROM
THE EXPERTS
