Domestic Sheep (Cotswold)
Ovis aries
Description:
 Size:
o Length: 3.9-5.9 ft (120-180 cm)
o Height: 2-4 ft (65-127 cm)
 Weight:
o Ewes (female): 175-225 lbs (79-102 kg)
o Rams (male): 275-300 lbs (125-136 kg)
 Physical Description: Domestic sheep vary greatly according to breed. The Cotswold
sheep are a larger breed. Domestic sheep have long ears, a cleft lip, narrow legs and
hooves. Most domestic breeds produce thick hair called wool, which is used for textiles
by humans. Cotswold sheep have particularly long and shiny hair for their wool in
comparison with other breeds.
 Coloration: Sheep are found with a wide variety of colors, with variances of white,
brown and black the most common. Cotswold sheep are mostly gray or white, with
occasional mottling of tan, especially on the face.
 Sexual dimorphism: Males are larger than females, and occasionally have horns,
depending on breed.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Range: Globally domesticated – originated from the Middle East and Central Asia
 Habitat: Domestic sheep are very adaptable and can be kept in a variety of habitats.
They require at least some plant cover for grazing if not being fed hay or grains.
Diet:
 Herbivorous: Domestic sheep eat a variety of plants, grains and hay.
Adaptations:
 Sheep naturally prefer to travel in herds to help detect and avoid predators.
 Males sometimes have horns which can be used for defense.
 Sheep eyes are located on the sides of their heads and have a relatively wide field of
view, allowing them to see up to 330° at a time.
 Sheep are very sure-footed, enabling them to inhabit rocky places, and avoid predators
by moving through areas where it is difficult to travel.
 Cotswold breed traits:
o Meat flavor is very mild
o Long-fiber wool, with a high luster
o Gentle disposition
o Ewes provide a relatively high amount of milk
o Highly tolerant eaters, able to thrive on less than ideal pastures or hay with little
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Cotswold Sheep
The Maryland Zoo
Domestic Sheep (Cotswold)
Ovis aries
or no grain.
Lifespan:
 Average of 10-15 years in captivity
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators: Large carnivores, such as wolves, coyotes, mountain lions and other big cats
have been known to prey upon domestic herds of sheep.
 Role/ Niche: Sheep are used by humans for a variety of things, such as their wool for
textiles, their hides for leather, and their meat and milk for food.
Reproduction:
 Breeding season: Usually the fall and early winter, lambs born in the spring
 Behavior: In captivity, one ram breeds with several ewes. If natural breeding occurs,
males will compete for dominance and the victor will breed with most of the females.
 Gestation: 5 months
 Number of offspring: 1-3 lambs per birth, commonly 2.
 Maturation: Lambs reach reproductive maturity within one year
Activity:
 Diurnal
Other “fun facts”:
 The breed "Cotswold" is so named because they were historically housed in shelters in
England known as "cots" or "cotes" and they were pastured on the wild, treeless hills of
the area, called "wolds".
Conservation Status and Threats:
 As a domestic animal, sheep are not listed on the IUCN red list or any endangered
species list..
At the Zoo

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore currently houses three female Cotswold sheep, all born
in 2010.
What We Can Do

When possible, try to support your local farmers by shopping at farmers markets and
buying local produce and meat.
o Purchasing locally grown food helps the environment by reducing the carbon
footprint of your groceries. Locally grown food doesn’t have to travel as far, and
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Cotswold Sheep
The Maryland Zoo
Domestic Sheep (Cotswold)
Ovis aries



less fossil fuel is used to transport it.
o Buying locally benefits local economies and therefore the community – buying
directly from family farmers helps them stay in business
o Locally grown food is fresher than anything in the supermarket
o Locally grown food also encourages humane treatment of farm animals
Reduce consumption of animal meat products to minimize habitat loss and pollution.
o Land is often cleared for livestock pastures and degraded over time.
o Livestock are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Be a responsible pet owner – not all animals make good pets for everyone; make sure
that you know how to properly care for an animal before getting it as a pet.
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat.
Additional Resources and References:
 Cotswold Breeder Association:
http://cotswoldbreedersassociation.org/about-cotswolds/
 The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore:
http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/mammals/cotswold-sheep/
 SVF Foundation: http://svffoundation.org/animals/cotswold-sheep.html
 Cotswold Sheep: http://www.cotswoldsheep.us.com/about_cotswold_sheep1.htm
 Oklahoma State: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/cotswold/
 Animal Diversity Web: http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ovis_aries/
2/9/2017
Cotswold Sheep
The Maryland Zoo