Many philosophers and theologians often refer to sheep as “dumb” or “passive” in some way. I set out to find out a little more about my brother and sister sheep recently and found the following SCIENTIFIC analysis of sheep behavior.
“Much of what makes a sheep behaviorally unique is related to being a ruminating herbivore
(plant-eating animal). For example, contrast sheep feeding behavior with carnivorous (meat-eating)
feeding patterns. Carnivores spend a much smaller proportion of their time consuming
food and a considerable amount of time stalking. Sheep normally spend more time consuming
food and ruminating (cud-chewing) and little time in searching for food. Carnivores typically
must attack and subdue their food before consuming it. Sheep merely graze. These and many
other feeding behavioral traits can be logically assumed to provide a basis for much of what
makes sheep different from carnivores. Carnivores are aggressive, sheep passive. Carnivores
are anatomically suited for killing other animals while sheep are anatomically ideal for grazing.
Carnivores kill sheep. Sheep never kill carnivores.”
SOURCE: Applied Sheep Behavior
Prepared by: Warren Gill, Professor
Animal Science Department
The University of Tennessee