From Raw Wool to Refined Quality

Sheep, domesticated farm animals known for their wool, meat, and milk, were among the first species to be tamed by humans, alongside goats, pigs, and cattle. Wool-producing sheep, scientifically classified as Ovis aries aries, include well-known breeds like Merino, Rambouillet, Blue Faced Leicester, and Corriedale. Though often underestimated, sheep are far from unintelligent. Their strong flocking instinct and tendency to flee can make them tricky to manage, yet they exhibit impressive cognitive abilities. Research from the University of Illinois places their intelligence just below pigs and comparable to cattle. Sheep can recognize and remember human faces for years, discern emotional expressions, and even learn their names with consistent training. Remarkably, they can also solve problems; one flock in West Yorkshire, England, was observed rolling onto their backs to navigate cattle grids.