Ever wonder what really separates sheep and goats? While sheep and goats have many similarities they are two distinct species. Sheep (Ovis Aries) have 54 chromosomes, while goats (Capra Hircus) have 60.
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.
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.
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. Below show a picture sheep grazing and goats browsing.
Comments
Another difference - goats have 1000 watt personalities and if you have a couple you won't need a TV to be entertained. Sheep are like cows from what I can tell.
Our older sheep are pretty plain but our babies are very entertaining. Like goats they play tag, hide-n-seek, but their favorite game is king of the mountain. We have a track set up for exercising the older lambs and they LOVE to race around that when they are babies, chasing each other. Oh and they love to climb on the dogs too!
Thanks for your comment!
I agree with Pat! Sheep are incredibly dull to be around while goats are a laugh a minute. We had raised both for several years and goats were very easily the winner in more ways then one.
I personally like the sheep!
I like sheep because when i was younger i was attacked by a goat
I truly enjoyed this informaiton. Thanks for posting!
I grew up on a little farm with a few goats and sheep and i personnally prefer the sheep. they seem to be much more entertaining to me than my goats,.
For what i can tell sheep are stupid and goat are smarter
goat are curios by nature and are quite independent, a sheep on the other hand prefers to stay put in its flock
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