Quick answer
Key facts about domestic sheep — size, diet, habitat, and conservation in one place.
Flock behaviour
Sheep follow leaders and startle easily — flocking is predator defence, not stupidity. They recognise individual sheep and human faces for years.
Wool and hair breeds
Merino produces fine wool; hair sheep like Dorper shed naturally without shearing. Dual-purpose breeds balance meat and fleece.
Global importance
Over one billion sheep support pastoral economies from Mongolia to New Zealand. Lamb and mutton feature in cuisines worldwide.
Environmental impact
Overgrazing causes desertification in fragile rangelands — rotational grazing and mixed farming reduce damage.