Do you sometimes look at lambs and sheep and wonder if they are related? There is a good reason why lambs and sheep are alike. A lamb is a young lamb. This is the only difference.
A female sheep is known as a sheep and a male is known as a ram. Their offspring are called lambs.
Sheep (Ovis Aries) were among the world’s first and most successful pets. They have been part of human society for millennia. We are still dependent on sheep and lambs for many things, including wool, meat and milk.
There are millions of domestic sheep and lambs in the world, as well as many species of wild sheep. Examples of wild rams include the Rocky Mountain snow horn, stone ram, chamois, and ibex. Popular domesticated breeds include Merino, Suffolk and Cheviot sheep.
Comparison of lamb and sheep
| lamb | Sheep | |
|---|---|---|
| The size | 5 to 12 pounds | 150 to 300 lbs |
| Coat | Soft and fluffy | Shaggy |
| Horns | No one | Large and curly |
| Diet | Sheep milk | Herbs and legumes |
| Sociability | With your mother and siblings | Alone or in a flock |
5 Key Differences Between Sheep and Lambs Explained
Lambs and sheep have many similarities, which is not surprising since they are the same animals at different ages. However, they have more than one major difference.
1. Lamb versus sheep: size
Lambs are noticeably smaller than adult sheep. A newborn lamb can weigh 5 to 10 pounds at birth. Adult sheep are much larger, and wild sheep are usually even larger.
The largest type of sheep is argali (Ovis ammon), a wild ram, originally from Mongolia. It can reach 4 feet in height and weigh between 200 and over 700 pounds. Hunting and deforestation have made argali an endangered species.
2. Lamb versus sheep: coat
Although both lambs and sheep produce wool, wool varies. Lamb’s wool is softer and more tender than sheep’s wool.
3. Lamb versus sheep: horns
Most lambs do not have horns. Male lambs may have tiny bumps that resemble horns, but they are nowhere near as large as the horns of a ram.
4. Lamb versus sheep: diet
The lamb drinks sheep’s milk during the first few weeks of life. After that, he eats the usual sheep diet – herbs, flowers, and legumes.
5. Lamb versus sheep: sociability
Lambs usually hang out with their mother and siblings. When they become one year old, they live in the pasture next to their family members. Domestic sheep are social. Wild rams are more solitary and roam the mountainside alone.
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Lambs vs Sheep – 5 Key Differences, FAQs Explained (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is the lamb a baby sheep?
Yes, a lamb is a young lamb.
Why do we eat lamb but not sheep?
We eat sheep, but you may not be familiar with sheep dishes, as few people call them “lamb”. If you’ve ever eaten lamb or boar, then you’ve eaten an adult sheep. Lamb is a flavorful meat popular in Asia and the UK.
Are sheep and lambs related?
A lamb is a sheep no older than a year. At the age of one to two years, it is called a one year old. After that, it is an adult sheep. An adult female is a sheep, and an adult male is a ram or deer. A castrated male sheep is called a sheep.
Is the lamb a goat or a sheep?
The lamb is a sheep. Goats are similar to sheep, but they are a separate species. The goat is known as a child.