A lamb is the common term for a young domestic sheep. This designation refers to the offspring of adult sheep, representing an early stage in the animal’s life cycle.
Defining a Lamb
A lamb is typically a juvenile sheep, a term that applies from birth through weaning until the animal is about 12 months old. Some definitions also specify that a lamb has not yet developed any permanent incisor teeth.
After this initial period, a young sheep may transition to being called a “hogget” in some regions, typically between 12 and 24 months of age or identified by the presence of up to two permanent incisor teeth. Once a sheep reaches approximately two years of age, or has produced its first set of offspring, it is generally considered an adult, referred to as a ewe if female, and a ram if male.
Characteristics of Sheep
Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are ruminant mammals belonging to the family Bovidae. They are even-toed ungulates. As herbivores, their diet primarily consists of grazing on grasses and legumes. Their digestive system is uniquely adapted for this fibrous diet, featuring a four-chambered stomach comprising the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum, which allows them to efficiently process plant material and chew cud.
Sheep are covered in a dense coat of wool, which varies in color from pure white to shades of brown and black, and can even be spotted, depending on the breed. While some breeds possess horns, their presence varies by breed and sex. Adult sheep typically stand 80 to 120 centimeters (31.5 to 47.2 inches) tall at the shoulder. Their weight can range considerably, with ewes commonly weighing 45 to 100 kilograms (100 to 220 pounds) and rams 45 to 160 kilograms (100 to 350 pounds).
Sheep are highly social and exhibit strong flocking behaviors, preferring to live in groups. This social structure provides protection, as they tend to move and graze together, often following a dominant individual. Female sheep, known as ewes, give birth to lambs after a gestation period averaging around 147 days, which is approximately five months. Ewes commonly give birth to one to three lambs. Lambs are born relatively precocial, meaning they are quite developed at birth and can stand and nurse shortly after being born.