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[[Image:Flock of sheep.jpg|right|thumb|A flock of sheep]]

{{Taxonomy|image = Flock of sheep.jpg|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = [[Chordata]]|subphylum = [[Vertebrata]]|class = [[Mammalia]]|order = [[Artiodactyla]]|suborder = Ruminantia  |family = Bovidae|subfamily = Caprinae|genus = Ovis|species = aries (Domestic sheep)<br>Ovis canadensis (Bighorn sheep)<br>Ovis dalli (Dall Sheep)<br>Ovis musimon or<br>Ovis ammon musimon (European Mouflon)<br>Ovis nivicola (Snow sheep)<br>Ovis orientalis (Asiatic Mouflon)<br>Ovis vignei (Urial)<br>Ovis ammon (Argali)

'''Sheep''' are woolly herbivorous [[ungulate]]s, that are farmed in many places for their [[wool]], their fleeces, their [[mutton|meat]] and sometimes their milk. Male sheep are called rams or tups, female sheep are ewes, baby sheep are lambs.

'''Sheep''' are woolly herbivorous [[ungulate]]s, that are farmed in many places for their [[wool]], their fleeces, their [[mutton|meat]] and sometimes their milk. Male sheep are called rams or tups, female sheep are ewes, baby sheep are lambs.

== Sheep in the Bible ==

== Sheep in the Bible ==

Sheep are mentioned many times in the Bible, and Christians are frequently likened to sheep of whom God is the shepherd, most notably in Psalm 23:

Sheep are mentioned many times in the Bible, and Christians are frequently likened to sheep of whom God is the shepherd, most notably in Psalm 23:

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

(KJV)

(KJV)

</blockquote>

</blockquote>

==Old and New Worlds==

==Old and New Worlds==

American cuisine is noted for the absence of lamb and mutton dishes, and sheep are not widely farmed, perhaps because the idea of a sheep ranch might be perceived as undermining the national 'frontier' self image.

American cuisine is noted for the absence of lamb and mutton dishes, and sheep are not widely farmed, perhaps because the idea of a sheep ranch might be perceived as undermining the national 'frontier' self image.

The [[Hawick Blueface]], native to the uplands of Roxburghshire and the Scottish Borders, is the largest native variety of British sheep. Its name derives from its characteristic mid-grey (not blue) face. Bluefaces provide a heavy yield of wool and the meat is fatty with a good flavor. [http://www.britishsheep.co.uk/breeds/hawick]

The [[Hawick Blueface]], native to the uplands of Roxburghshire and the Scottish Borders, is the largest native variety of British sheep. Its name derives from its characteristic mid-grey (not blue) face. Bluefaces provide a heavy yield of wool and the meat is fatty with a good flavor. [http://www.britishsheep.co.uk/breeds/hawick]

==Sheep in popular culture==

==Sheep in popular culture==

Sheep are often used as a metaphor for unthinking followers of any particular ideology. [[George Orwell]] used them in this way in his novel ''[[Animal Farm]]'' when the sheep could be counted on to back up the animal revolution led by the pigs by baaa-ing ''Four legs good, two legs bad'' when required.

Sheep are often used as a metaphor for unthinking followers of any particular ideology. [[George Orwell]] used them in this way in his novel ''[[Animal Farm]]'' when the sheep could be counted on to back up the animal revolution led by the pigs by baaa-ing ''Four legs good, two legs bad'' when required.