Sheep Name given to a species of domesticated mammals of the (genus Ovis ) . The male is a ram (and if castrated is a wether) the name given for a female is ewe , and for its offspring a lamb .

The wild sheep can be found in mountainous areas in North Africa , Asia , and the Mediterranean. Unlike the domesticated stock they do not bare wool, but are agile rock climbers with large spiraling horns. From this species include the Siberian argali , Barbary sheep, which is found in North Africa, and the North American bighorn, or Rocky Mountain sheep, are found from Alaska to Mexico.

Sheep have long been it domesticated the dating back 7000 years ago, and they were first used for their fleeces of wool back in 4000 B.C.. Roman flocks figured in the evolution of the Marino type in Spain, from which the modern day sheep derives from. The present-day domesticated sheep and differed greatly, as they were developed for different purposes and environments.

Sheep are mainly used for their wool, meat (Mutton or lamb depending on age) , also for the skins and the milk from which cheese is made. Mainly found in temperate areas and to thrive on roughages. Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and Argentina are a few the top leading producers mainly for meat (mutton); in North America the most important states are Texas, Wyoming, and California. Most sheep's mating season is in the fall, and of the five months the lambs are born, and called spring and lambs. Some of the important breeds are as follows : Cotswold , Hampshire, Karakul, Leicester, Marino, Southdown , and the Shropshire sheep .

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