Goat and sheep: difference and main differences, descriptions of two animals and features

At first glance, it is easy for an inexperienced person to confuse a goat with a sheep. These animals in zoology are united by one superfamily - Caprinae, artiodactyl mammals from the Bovid family. Domesticated farm animals share a common origin and genetic similarity. Despite this, they belong to two independent genera of artiodactyl animals. What is the difference between a goat and a sheep, let's try to figure it out.

Goat description

Animals are adapted to survive in hot and cold climates. They do not tolerate high humidity. Goat breeding is developed among farmers due to the high value of milk.It is nutritious and rich in vitamins and minerals. The skin and wool of the animal are especially valued. The content is unpretentious: goats eat more varieties of vegetation than other herbivores. They need 6 times less feed per day than cows, and give about two liters of milk.

Outwardly, goats differ from sheep in several ways. On the head are horns and a beard. The body is covered with straight hair, which varies in length and quality depending on the breed. The color of the animal is from white to black or variegated colors. The tail is small, carried up.

By nature, goats are curious, independent in nature. They are adapted to climbing mountain peaks. In a farm, goats are intelligent, obedient animals. They do not require special care, they are attached to the owner, squeamish, therefore they complicate personal care a little. The life expectancy of domestic individuals is 9-10 years, in rare cases they live up to 17 years of age.

What a sheep looks like

Domestic artiodactyls are prized for their delicious meat and thick coats. Sheep breeding is widespread, breeders receive fleece, skin, milk, cooking oil and cheese. The individual is outwardly characterized by thick curly hair and spiral horns (males). Animal legs are adapted for long walks across the plains.

The weight of farm animals is 45-100 kg for females and 70-160 kg for males. In height, the animal can reach up to 110 cm. The muzzle of the sheep is pointed, with a straight profile. The tail of a ram is long, hanging down or fat-tailed. On the head are twisted horns, can reach up to 180 cm in length. There is a breed of rams that do not have horns.

The peculiarity of the location of the eyes of sheep allows you to see what is happening around without turning your head. This helps to see the approaching danger. Animals have a good sense of smell and hearing. The color of different breeds varies from cream to dark brown, black.

Ancestors of this animal species are accustomed to poor food in the mountains, so they are unpretentious in food. The structure of the teeth allows you to eat away all the plants at the root.

Sheep keep crowded, prefer a herd way of life unlike goats. Individuals are characterized by shyness, they communicate with sounds between relatives. This helps to inform the herd in a timely manner of approaching danger. The life span of animals is 7-15 years.

Main differences between goat and sheep

According to historical records, a man tamed a wild goat 10 thousand years before our era. At that time, people learned to get milk, a warm skin that saved them from the cold. The sheep was tamed later, about 6-8 thousand years BC.

Ruminants are similar at the genetic level, have almost the same number of chromosomes.

This is due to the common origin. Despite their genetic relationship, there are no common features between them, both in appearance and lifestyle.

Notable differences between the two animal species:

1. Sheep and lambs are mammals, belong to the same family, but are different species.
2. Goats have 60 chromosomes, rams have 54.
3. Goats eat the tops of plants, sheep eat plants, eating them completely.
4. Goats are considered independent animals. They are free and curious. Sheep are more shy, they get lost outside the herd.
5. The goat has a specific smell that attracts parasites, is prone to ringworm. Sheep tend to become infected with worms.
6. Sheep's milk is fatter than goat's milk.
7. Lamb meat is fatty and high in cholesterol. Goat meat is leaner as it contains less fat.
8. Goat hair does not require regular trimming. Lambs are sheared annually.
9. Sheep are adapted to the plains, run fast. Goats are adapted to climbing steep slopes, able to climb mountains in search of food.

The similarities and differences between a goat and a sheep are quite clear. There are significant differences in physical characteristics, appearance, lifestyle, care. Sheep and goat farming is popular for its valuable milk, furs, meat and food derivatives.

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