In reflection, perhaps it would have been a bit more fitting had I dedicated a few posts to the topic of sheep when we were in the midst of the Easter season. If I possessed the ability to go back in time, I would take the Easter approach, but seeing as my name is not Hermione Granger and I do not own a Time Turner, this will have to do. I happen to think that sheep can be enjoyed and appreciated at any point in a given calendar year.
Continuing our conversation from yesterday, today’s chat about sheep is referencing information from spca.bc.ca.
“5. Mothers form strong bonds with their lambs. Adult females, called ewes, form strong emotional bonds with their lambs soon after birth. Ewes stay close to their young lambs and encourage following behaviour, which young lambs learn quickly. Another way sheep communicate with each other is through vocalizations, often called bleating. Ewes can recognize which lambs are theirs by the sound of their calls, and at just 12 hours old, lambs can also identify their mother through sight and by the sound of her call.
“6. Sheep can self-medicate. Sheep are selective grazers and prefer eating vegetation near the soil surface. Their upper lip is divided by a distinct groove called a philtrum. The philtrum allows them to get close to the ground and select only the grasses and other vegetation they like – they learn to recognize plants by their taste! They use this ability to eat plants that make them feel better when they are sick or prevent disease, but otherwise hold no nutritional value, and teach their young to do the same.
“7. Sheep are emotionally complex. Sheep experience a wide range of emotions, just as humans do. Many studies have highlighted the ability of sheep to feel afraid, angry, bored, sad, and happy. Not only can sheep feel basic emotions, but their feelings can be very complex. For example, scientific studies have shown that sheep can display optimism, pessimism, and empathy! Sheep are sensitive to emotional expressions and can recognize emotion in the facial expressions of their flock mates – an important skill to keep the flock safe,” the web page explains.
Let’s hear it for sheep, people.
Photo by Tanner Yould on Unsplash
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