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| − | {{Taxonomy|image = Sheep.jpg|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = Chordata|subphylum = Vertebrata|class = Mammalia|order = Artiodactyla|suborder = Ruminantia |family = Bovidae|subfamily = Caprinae|genus = Ovis|species = O. aries (Domestic sheep)<br>O. canadensis (Bighorn sheep)<br>O. dalli (Dall Sheep)<br>O. musimon or<br>O. ammon musimon (European Mouflon)<br>O. nivicola (Snow sheep)<br>O. orientalis (Asiatic Mouflon)<br>O. vignei (Urial)<br>O. ammon (Argali) }}
| + | [[Conservapedia is drowned in Vandalism!]] |
| − | '''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 - unless castrated in which case they are called wethers. Female sheep are ewes. Juvenile sheep are lambs.
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| − | While traditionally thought to be of limited intelligence there are wild (as yet unproven) stories of sheep being able to navigating obstacles designed to hinder their movements.
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| − | Sheep farming is particularly important in [[New Zealand]], [[Australia]] and many parts of the [[United Kingdom]], especially [[Wales]] and the wild borderlands of [[Scotland]].
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| − | == Wild Sheep ==
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| − | Wild varieties of sheep are found in many mountainous regions worldwide. Full species include the [[bighorn sheep]] of North America, the [[mouflon]] of Sardinia and Corsica, and the [[aoudad]] of North Africa. Herds of feral sheep are also known, such as the Soay sheep of certain [[Scotland|Scottish]] islands, believed to have lived wild since the [[Bronze Age]]. Herdwick sheep are unique to the English lake District, Cumbria.
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| − | == Sheep in the Bible ==
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| − | 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:
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | 1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<br />
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| − | 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.<br />
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| − | (KJV)
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| − | </blockquote>
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| − | As well as in [[Revelation]] 5:12
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| − | <blockquote>
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| − | In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
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| − | </blockquote>[http://www.igreetyou.com/ShepherdLamb1.html]
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| − | [[Jesus]] is sometimes likened to a lamb, as lambs were often used for sacrifices
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| − | A ram stuck in a thicket was a substitute sacrifice for [[Isaac]] in [[Genesis]]
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| − | ==Old and New Worlds==
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| − | [[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.
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| − | ==Sheep in popular culture==
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| − | 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.
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| − | [[Category:Ruminants]]
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| − | [[Category:Domestic Animals]]
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| − | [[Category:Livestock]]
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| − | [[Category:Biblical Animals]]
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| − | [[Category:Kosher Animals]]
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