10 Things Most People Don’t Know About Sheep

1. SHEEP ARE VERY INDEPENDENT

Sheep are flock animals, so people seem to be under the impression that this means they lack the ability to act independently of one another — but that’s a lie. At a sanctuary, you’ll see sheep getting up to all sorts of different activities, and it’s usually whatever that individual feels like at the time.

2. SHEEP GET JEALOUS OF EACH OTHER

Head butting, biting, hoof stomping — you name it, sheep will do all kinds of things to make sure they’re the only one in the picture!

3. SHEEP LOVE CUDDLES

Photo Credit: Liz Sloweiser/Unsplash

Just like dogs and cats, sheep adore cuddles with their favorite human friends — and each other, of course. They also love belly rubs and a good old scratch behind the ears.

4. SHEEP COME RUNNING WHEN YOU CALL THEIR NAME

Sheep destined for human consumption don’t have names, only numbers — but when they arrive at a sanctuary and receive their new name, it doesn’t take them long to recognize that you’re talking to them. One of our rescue sheep, Olive, always comes running when you call out to her.

5. SHEEP REMEMBER PEOPLE

If you spend time around a sheep, chances are they will remember you — even if you disappear out of their lives for months at a time. Sheep are intuitive animals that don’t forget a face easily.

6. SHEEP CARRY EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE

Sheep that have been mistreated can take years — and sometimes even a lifetime — to truly heal from their traumatic experiences. They’re not just dumb animals that simply forget about all the horrible things that have happened to them in the past; they carry their experiences with them.

7. SHEEP GRIEVE FOR THEIR LOVED ONES

Research has shown that many animals grieve for their lost loved ones, but did you know that sheep do too? When they lose someone they love, it can completely shake their world and leave them feeling lost and unsettled for months. Sheep have been known to cry out for their lost friends and family in a desperate attempt to understand why they are no longer here.

8. SHEEP LOVE TO SUNBATHE

Sheep love nothing more than basking in the sun after filling their bellies with fresh grass or hay. With friends or alone, it’s hard to beat catching some rays.

9. SHEEP SELF-MEDICATE

When a sheep is sick, they often know exactly what they need to cure themselves. They are able to detect which nutrients they lack and seek out plants that make them feel better.

10. SHEEP KNOW WHEN YOU’RE UP TO SOMETHING

If you think you can outsmart a sheep, think again. If you’re up to no good, then they’ll be on to you in no time. Whether you want to trim their hooves or administer medication, they’ll know about it even before you do!