Ram

Ovis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigationJump to search
This article is about the genus of wild sheep species. For the domestic animal, see sheep.
Sheep
Ovis canadensis 2.jpg
Bighorn sheep
Scientific classificatione
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Caprinae
Genus: Ovis
Linnaeus, 1758
Species
See text.

Ovis is a genus of mammals, part of the Caprinae subfamily of the ruminant family Bovidae.[1] Its five or more highly sociable species are known as sheep. The domestic sheep is one member of the genus, and is thought to be descended from the wild mouflon of central and southwest Asia.


Contents
1 Terminology
2 Characteristics
3 Species
4 Behaviour
4.1 Mating
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
Terminology
Main article: Glossary of sheep husbandry
Female sheep are called ewes, males are called rams (sometimes also called bucks or tups), and young sheep are called lam