Separating the Sheep from the Goats Quiz

Answer: Neither

Although we think of sheep as wooly creatures, in reality, many varieties have no wool. Designated as "hair sheep," these breeds are raised for meat, usually in hot climates. They include the Blackbelly Barbados and the Wiltshire Horn Sheep.

In addition, some goat breeds *do* have wool, the most-widely known of these being the Angora.

Answer: Goats

Goats hold their tails up when walking, sheep tails hang down. Goats also wag their tails when they are happy, just like dogs!

Answer: Both

There are more breeds of dairy goat (dozens) than dairy sheep (just one- the East Friesian)- but both can be milked. There are several cheeses traditionally made from sheep's milk, including Romano.

Answer: Goat

A male goat uses the beard to attract females...but not in the way you might think. He urinates on it, and that lovely smell entices their ladies. Many female goats have beards too, but they are much shorter than those of the males.

Answer: Sheep

Some sheep breeds have truly impressive sets of horns, as do many wild sheep. The number of curls can be used as a rough guide to how old the animal is.

Answer: Both

There are many theories for why goats and sheep have horizontal, rectangular pupils. This may give them better night vision, or may give them better ability to regulate the amount of light that hits the retina.

Answer: Sheep

These glands secrete a liquid with a distinctive odor that marks sheep trails and lets other sheep know who has been there.

Answer: Neither

Both animals have no upper front incisors, just a tough pad. The lower incisors press stems against this pad and rip off leaves.

Answer: Sheep

Goats are primarily browsers, feeding on the leaves and twigs of shrubs and other woody plants. Sheep are grazers, feeding mainly on grass and forbs.

Answer: Both

Many breeds of goat have concave faces, but breeds such as the Boer and Nubian have convex faces. Sheep generally have convex faces.