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Somali Black Headed Sheep

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General Information

The Somali sheep was predominately reared for meat production, and the breed is an ancestor of the Blackhead Persian sheep from South Africa. As well as a distinctive black head, the Somali sheep has an odd shape, as it stores fat in its hindquarters. They are hardy and thrive in arid and semi-arid conditions, but can adapt to both hot and cold conditions.

As a hair sheep, the Somali sheep will shed its longer hair in the spring and does not require shearing.

Black headed sheep

Latin name - Ovis aries Somali

Class - Mammal

Order - Artiodactyla

Family - Bovidae

Habitat - Somalia & Southern Africa

Fun Fact

The fat stored in their rump enables them to survive the dry season or periods of poor food availability, potentially allowing them to go up to a month without food or water!

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