Sheep are easily tricked? Here are Five Unique Facts about Sheep According to IPB University Lecturer
People often recognize sheep as animals that can be utilized for their fur. In fact, there are those who call sheep unintelligent and easily deceived animals. What are the facts? Are there other unique things that sheep have? The following is an explanation from Dr Muhammad Baihaqi, a lecturer in Animal Production and Technology (TPT) at IPB University.
According to him, the assumption that sheep are unintelligent and easily tricked is not entirely true. “This assumption is not entirely true or a myth, even though sheep look weak, have a high group nature, and only follow their group without thinking,” he said.
In fact, compared to other farm animals, sheep are quite intelligent with good cognitive abilities. “Research shows that sheep can recognize their friends (other sheep) up to 50 of them and can remember them for more than a year,” Dr Baihaqi explained.
He continued, sheep also have the ability to remember the location of feed or water sources that they usually access in the pasture. In domestic farms, sheep can generally recognize the farmer who takes care of them, so they tend to avoid when a stranger comes.
The lecturer at the Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, explained that the origin of the myth that sheep are not intelligent or easily deceived is because sheep look like animals that easily follow their groups.
“Scientifically, sheep do have higher flocking behavior than goats or other farm animals. They will feel fear and panic when separated from their group,” he explains.
“There is a possibility that the myth arises because of several stories or cultures, for example about sheep that are easily deceived by wolves so that the term wolf in sheep’s clothing appears,” he explained again.
Dr Baihaqi also explained some unique facts about sheep. First, although not as smart as dogs that can become herders, sheep can be trained for simpler things. For example, they can be trained to leave and enter the cage at certain times and look for food in a place that has been determined by the farmer.
“The second unique fact is that in the West Java region, there is an art known as Garut Sheep Skill Art (SKDG), which according to the general perception of the community is a ‘sheep fighting’ event despite the fact that it is more about art and culture. This is because male sheep have more aggressive agonistic (fighting) behavior,” he said.
The third fact, continued Dr Baihaqi, is that people often mistakenly call sheep as goats, despite the fact that they are different species with different traits and characteristics.
The fourth fact is that people often misperceive that lamb meat is a source of cholesterol. In fact, he said, lamb cholesterol is not much different from other meats.
“Fifth, in developed countries, wool derived from sheep’s wool has been utilized into fabrics that have unique features and high economic value,” he concluded. (Lp) (IAAS/LAN)
