Swiss Valais Blacknose Sheep
| Latin Name | Ovis aries |
|---|---|
| Class | Mammals |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| IUCN Status | Domesticated |
| Habitat | Domestic/Stony Pastures |
| Distribution | Valais region of Switzerland |
General Information
This robust and docile breed are predominantly bred for their meat and wool. Their soft white fleece grows approximately 30cm per year and is used to make a variety of products including carpets, mattress stuffing and felting. A single Valais sheep can produce 4 kilos of wool a year!
Males are usually larger than females but both produce distinct spiraling horns that form parallel to the jaws.
Keeper Notes
Our lovely valais blacknose sheep are named Tag & Hubie, they are both male and arrived at the zoo in early summer 2020. They soon became a firm favorite of our keepers and visitors because of their friendly, playful nature!