Farm animals
Cameroon Sheep
Ovis aries
Species originDomesticated
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Cameroon Sheep
- Description
- The Cameroon sheep is a small, slender domestic hair sheep with a short, close-fitting coat, typically reddish-brown to black, often with a darker back stripe and a paler belly. Rams carry prominent sickle-shaped horns and a mane over the neck and chest, while ewes are usually hornless. Ewes weigh roughly 35-50 kg and rams around 45-60 kg, standing about 60-70 cm at the shoulder.
- Habitat
- This is a domestic breed derived from the West African Dwarf (Djallonké) sheep of the savannas and open, dry regions of West Africa. Hardy and undemanding, it has become popular across Europe as a landrace kept on farms, in parks and in petting zoos.
- Diet
- A herbivore that grazes mainly on grasses and herbs, and also browses leaves. In human care it is fed hay along with fresh greens.
- Reproduction
- Gestation lasts around 150 days, after which the ewe usually gives birth to one or two lambs. The breed matures early and can breed year-round, so up to three lamb crops within two years are possible.
- Lifespan
- Cameroon sheep typically live about 12-15 years, and individuals in good care can reach an even greater age.
- Did you know?
- Unlike woolly sheep, the Cameroon sheep is a hair sheep: it grows a fine undercoat in winter and sheds it naturally in spring, so it never needs shearing.
Homeland & habitat
Where the cameroon sheep lives
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West AfricaA domesticated dwarf sheep breed developed in the savannas and dry regions of West Africa, now kept worldwide.
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Native rangeIntroduced / also today
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10 facts about the cameroon sheep
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- GroupFarm animalsSudokopytníci (Artiodactyla) · Turovití (Bovidae)
- Scientific nameOvis ariesLatin name of the species
- Homeland & habitatSavany a otevřené suché oblasti západní Afriky.
- DietBýložravec – živí se převážně trávou, bylinami, listím, seno
- ReproductionBřezost trvá okolo 150 dní a rodí 1–2 mláďata
- LifespanPřibližně 12–15 let
- Conservation statusDomesticatedA domesticated form — not found in the wild
- Did you know…?patří mezi "srstnaté ovce" – není potřeba je stříhat.
- Where in the zooArea A — the farm animal yard
- How many we keep♂ 1 · ♀ 1total: 2
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