A lamb is a young sheep, and the distinction between a lamb and an adult sheep is primarily based on age and developmental stage. This article clarifies what defines each and their transition.
Understanding What a Lamb Is
A lamb is a young sheep, typically defined as being under 12 months old. At birth, lambs are considerably smaller than adults, usually weighing between 8 to 15 pounds, depending on the breed. Their wool is noticeably softer, finer, and more delicate than that of a mature sheep. Lambs are entirely dependent on their mother for nourishment during their initial weeks, consuming only milk. They are born with small, smooth milk teeth designed for suckling, and while typically hornless, they also gradually begin to explore their surroundings and interact within the flock.
Understanding What a Sheep Is
An adult sheep is generally considered to be an animal over one year old, significantly larger and heavier than lambs, with standing shoulder heights ranging from 31.5 to 47.2 inches and weights between 99 and 287 pounds. Their wool becomes coarser and denser compared to a lamb’s fleece, and in some breeds, horns become fully developed. Adult sheep possess a full set of permanent incisor teeth, which replace their milk teeth by approximately four years of age. They are reproductively mature; female adult sheep are called ewes and are capable of bearing lambs. Uncastrated adult male sheep are known as rams, or sometimes tups, while a castrated male is referred to as a wether.
The Transition from Lamb to Sheep
The progression from a lamb to a sheep involves significant developmental changes, primarily marked by age and physical maturity, including substantial growth in size and weight, and the development of mature wool and teeth. A lamb is most commonly considered a sheep around 12 months of age, though this can vary. Some definitions also consider a sheep a lamb until it cuts its first two adult teeth, which can occur between 9 and 18 months. As they mature, sheep also exhibit increased independence and integrate fully into the social structure of the flock, moving beyond their initial dependence on the ewe. While a lamb and a sheep are distinct terms for different life stages, they are fundamentally the same species at varying points in their life cycle.