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From playful and curious goats to cute and cuddly lambs, you will be easily forgiven for mistaking sheep and goats for each other. After all, they look very similar in appearance, especially when they are visible in the field from afar. But how similar are they?
Well, even though they are from the same family group, they are actually very different animals. Sheep and goats have completely different eating habits, different temperaments and even different wool. But that’s not all, there is much more to learn about these wonderful animals. Read on as we learn all about the key differences between sheep and goats.
Comparison of sheep and goats
At first glance, sheep and goats are easy to confuse with each other. However, there are several reasons why they differ, and some of them are fairly easy to spot.
Check out the table below for a few key differences.
Sheep | Goat | |
Coat type | Wool | Hair |
Tail | Points down | Points up |
Upper lip | Has a distinct groove in the center (groove) | Without groove |
Gathering behavior | Grazers | Browsers |
Temperament | Detached and aloof and possessing a strong pack instinct | Curious and independent |
Horns | Most do not have horns, but those that tend to curl around the sides of the head. | Most usually have horns and they point at you[wardsandslightlyback[всторонуинемногоназад[wardsandslightlyback |
6 major differences between goats and sheep
Goat vs Sheep: Coat
One of the most distinctive differences between sheep and goats is their wool. Most sheep have a thick woolly coat and need to be sheared every year to keep them from overheating during the summer months. Goats have hair on their bodies and do not need to be sheared.
Goat vs Sheep: Tail
An easy way to tell the difference between goats and sheep is to look at their tails. Goats have short tails that usually point upward unless they are scared or sick. In contrast, in sheep, the tails are directed downward. Most sheep are born with long tails, which are docked at birth for sanitary reasons and to prevent fly collisions. The long tails are often covered in feces, which attracts flies. A fly strike occurs when blow flies lay their eggs on the sheep’s back. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which then feed on the sheep and can be fatal. However, some sheep breeds naturally have short tails, but even they are directed downward.
Goat vs sheep: diet
If you’ve ever encountered goats before they started, you’ve heard that they love to eat just about anything they can get their hands on (and often even what they shouldn’t eat). The reason for this is because they are browsers and roam around biting and picking whatever they like. Goats prefer to eat leaves, twigs and shrubs and often stand on their hind legs to reach the tops of the plants. However, coupled with their curiosity and inquisitiveness, their love for whatever they can get in their mouth often makes them a bad name.
On the other hand, sheep are herbivores and prefer to eat from the ground when grazing while wandering. Sheep usually eat stunted grasses and clover and mostly ignore trees and shrubs.
Goat versus sheep: temperament
Sheep are best known for their relatively aloof and detached behavior, as well as their strong flock instinct. When they are under threat or in a storm, they naturally band together and can quickly become frustrated when they are separated.
Despite their cute and innocent appearance, goats can find trouble – and get out of it! They are extremely independent and curious and often like to explore everything. Goats are extremely agile and are well known for their ability to jump or climb objects, and they require good fencing to hold them.
Goat vs sheep: horns
Most (though not all) sheep are naturally “interviewed,” which means they have no horns. For those who do, however, their horns are usually thick and curl impressively on the sides of their heads. Many goats have horns and their horns are much narrower and shorter. They also tend to point upward and backward and do not curl.
Goat versus sheep: glands
Sheep have noticeable tear ducts under the eyes and scent glands between the toes, while goats do not. Instead, goats have a scent gland under their tail. This aromatic gland is the reason why male goats have such a strong and unpleasant odor during the mating season, while male sheep do not smell so much.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Sheep and goats from the same family?
Yes, both sheep and goats belong to the same family group. Bovidae and subfamily Caprinae… However, they are separated at the genus level. Sheep belong to the genus Ovis and goats belong Capra…
Can sheep and goats live together?
Yes, sheep and goats can live together.
Do sheep and goats grow beards?
Sheep do not grow beards, but goats do the majority. Male goats often have longer and thicker beards than females.
Do sheep and goats have the same lifespan?
No, sheep have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years, while goats have a slightly longer lifespan of 15 to 18 years.
Are sheep and goats the same size?
Sheep and goats come in many different sizes, but in general, goats appear thinner than sheep. Sheep not only handle their food differently than goats because of their woolly coat, and therefore tend to carry more weight on their lower back and back than goats.
Do goats and sheep fight the same way?
No, male sheep (rams) usually retreat and then attack to face head bumping. Male goats (billy) usually stand on their hind legs and then fall with force to butt their heads in a fight.
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