Ovis
Ovis is a genus of mammals, part of the goat-antelope subfamily of the ruminant family Bovidae. Its five or so species are known as sheep. Male sheep are called rams, females are referred to as ewes, and young sheep are lambs. Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are among the earliest animals to be domesticated for agricultural purposes, and they have a fleece that is used for a variety of textile products.
Species[edit | edit source]
The genus Ovis contains the following species:
- Ovis aries - Domestic Sheep
- Ovis canadensis - Bighorn Sheep
- Ovis dalli - Dall's Sheep
- Ovis vignei - Urial
- Ovis ammon - Argali
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Sheep are typically stocky mammals with horns. The horns of rams are typically large and spiral shaped, while those of ewes are smaller. In some species, females do not have horns. Sheep have a four-chambered stomach that allows them to break down complex plant materials for nutrients. They are also known for their woolly coat, which is sheared for textile production.
Domestication[edit | edit source]
Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated, with evidence of domestication dating back some 10,000 years ago in the Middle East. They are raised for a variety of purposes including meat (lamb and mutton), milk, and wool.
Conservation[edit | edit source]
Several species of wild sheep are threatened with extinction due to factors such as habitat loss, hunting, and competition with livestock. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these species and their habitats.
See also[edit | edit source]
Ovis Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
Translate to: East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD