Sheep

Sheep

The sheep (Ovis Aries) is a domestic herbivorous mammal of the family cattle, the subfamily and goats of the genus Ovis. The man raises sheep for meat, milk, wool and his skin with which it prepares a leather called basane.

It is a ruminant mammal that exists today, especially in its domesticated form, although six wildlife species still exist. Like all ruminants, sheep are walking on two ungulates (an even number) fingers (Cetartiodactyla). They probably descended from a mixture of sub-species of species of wild sheep (Ovis orientalis Ovis gmelini or) the West, 54 chromosomes from the Middle East.

This is one of the first animals to be domesticated and are especially valued for their wool and meat. Sheep's wool coat is the animal most widely used and is usually harvested by cutting with shears (shearing).

Sheep are raised throughout the world and played a central role in many civilizations. At the moment, Australia, New Zealand, Patagonia and the United Kingdom are the major areas devoted to farming.

Key animal in the history of agriculture, the sheep had a huge impact on human culture. Sheep are often associated with rustic scenes. The sheep appeared in many legends, as the Golden Fleece and the great religions, especially the Abrahamic religions. In some rites, sheep are used as sacrificial animals (especially among Muslims during the Eid el-Kebir).

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.