![Soaysheep4 2500X1500](/media/uysjz00c/soaysheep4-2500x1500.jpg?rxy=0.5061251001626885,0.47286288811903626&width=400&height=300&rnd=133478070149630000)
Soay Sheep
Ovis aries
Small (25-40kg), hardy breed of domestic sheep. Normally brown in colour (ranging from tan to chocolate), with lighter faces, underside and rumps.
![Soaysheep2 2500X1500](/media/lnzptxe2/soaysheep2-2500x1500.jpg?anchor=center&rmode=crop&width=320&quality=80)
Habitat
Often used in conservation grazing schemes in woodlands, hillsides and rocky areas due to their hardy nature.
![Soaysheep4 2500X1500](/media/uysjz00c/soaysheep4-2500x1500.jpg?rxy=0.5061251001626885%2C0.47286288811903626&rmode=crop&width=320&quality=80)
Behaviour
Herd animals, with a group of sheep known as a “flock”. The flock is led by a dominant individual (normally a ram), and rams assert their dominance over a single group of ewes (females) for mating rights by fighting.
![Soaysheep5 2500X1500](/media/ncoohz5y/soaysheep5-2500x1500.jpg?anchor=center&rmode=crop&width=320&quality=80)
Did you know?
- Soay sheep shed their wool naturally, so there is no need for shearing.
- Soay sheep are resilient to a lot of ailments that affect other breeds of domestic sheep such as parasites and foot rot.
Distribution
Descended from a population of feral sheep found on the Scottish Island of Soay. Have since been transported to other UK islands and mainland UK.
Diet
Vegetation, grasses, legumes and forbes being ideal.