wild sheep - I think

[sanityclause]

Having successfully navigated both Stob Coire Raineach and Stob Dubh on Saturday, we decided to walk down into Rannoch Moor on the Sunday, came across a few of these animals, of course a discussion ensued (as it does!) about, whether they were sheep or goats - I suspect sheep, albeit they are half the size of their domesticated cousins.

Anyone confirm?

[CharlesT]

It's a sheep. Most likely a Soay, but could be a Hebridean, they are quite similar.

[Caberfeidh]

It's a sheep. Most likely a Soay, but could be a Hebridean, they are quite similar.

Yeh, what Charles said. They are an ancient breed, probably brought to Scotland during Norse times, possibly even earlier. Some grow multiple horns, I think eight or nine is the most horns found on one sheep, they look really weird.

Killer Sheep Monster

[calumjhogg]

Definitely Soay Sheep, think they are owned by Black Corries Estate

[Bimbling]

I don't know for sure this is true, but I'm sure I read/heard that the iris in a sheep's eye is horizontal and in a goat, vertical.

[StevieC]

I don't know for sure this is true, but I'm sure I read/heard that the iris in a sheep's eye is horizontal and in a goat, vertical.

I seem to remember they covered this on QI (I think), and they said a goat's tail sticks up whereas a sheep's tail hangs down...

[CharlesT]

I don't know for sure this is true, but I'm sure I read/heard that the iris in a sheep's eye is horizontal and in a goat, vertical.

Both sheep and goats have horizontal rectangular eyes. As prey species this allows them a wider field of view, an aid to avoiding predators.

[CharlesT]

I seem to remember they covered this on QI (I think), and they said a goat's tail sticks up whereas a sheep's tail hangs down...

That is correct.