Are you wondering what the difference between a lamb and a sheep is? Lambs and sheep are both part of the same species, but there are some notable physical and behavioral differences that distinguish them from each other. Let's find out more about these two animals with this guide from the Humane Society.
Physical Appearance:
One of the quickest and easiest ways to distinguish between a lamb and a sheep is by looking at their physical appearance. Lambs are usually smaller, with softer, finer features than adult sheep. They also have shorter, sleeker coats that tend to be thicker around their heads and tails. In contrast, adult sheep have longer faces and coarse coats that are more even in length throughout the body.
Lambs also tend to have a light, tan or cream colored face and legs, whereas adult sheep generally have darker faces. Additionally, lambs are more likely to feature relatively short, “bottle” shaped horns that will curl into the face between four and six months old. Sheep typically have longer, scimitar shaped horns that protrude for some distance before curling.
Ages:
Generally speaking, lambs are young sheep, usually less than twelve months of age. Juvenile sheep, which can also be called yearlings, are between one and two years old. Occasionally, young sheep can be mistaken for lambs – however, it’s easy to tell them apart just by looking at their size and physical features. Lambs are smaller and more delicate than yearlings and adults.
Lambs are also typically more vocal than yearlings and adults, making more of a bleating sound. Yearlings, on the other hand, make more munching noises while they graze because they have larger mouths with bigger teeth. Additionally, lambs usually have softer wool that is lusher and thicker. As sheep grow older, their wool becomes tougher and takes on a more classic “sheep-like” texture. These differences in size, sound, and appearance all make it easy to distinguish between a lamb and a sheep.
Herd Mentality:
A major difference between lambs and yearling sheep is their behavior in a herd or flock. Typically, lambs are quieter, more skittish animals that rely heavily on the protection of their mothers and other adult sheep in their herd. Young sheep, however, can start to lead members of the herd and explore unfamiliar surroundings with more confidence than lambs. Additionally, young sheep are often more vocal and outgoing compared to smaller lambs.
Another major difference between lambs and young sheep is physical appearance. Lambs are generally shorter in stature, with a smaller head and legs. Their wool also tends to be softer than the coat of yearling sheep. Young sheep on the other hand, typically have thicker fur that can protect them from colder temperatures better than their younger counterparts. Also, young sheep will exhibit more fat around the face and neck compared to lambs. While the legs of both animals are short and stubby, a penned-in adult sheep’s legs look proportionate to its body. Finally, individuals can differentiate between lambs and young sheep by examining their horns or lack thereof; lambs are hornless whereas yearling sheep have some form of horn development
Relative Size of the Two Species:
Another distinguishing factor between lambs and yearling sheep is their size. Lambing season usually corresponds with the warming of spring weather, so compared to adult sheep, lambs tend to be much smaller in size due to their younger age. Adult animals will often have larger and heavier bodies than those of lambs which are newly born into a herd.
On average, a full-sized adult sheep stands around two feet or taller at the shoulder and will weigh anywhere from 80 to 250 pounds. Whereas lambs, when first born, are usually no more than fifteen inches tall at the shoulders and most lambs typically range in weight from 35 to 90 pounds. In addition, lambs’ legs tend to be skinnier than those of an adult sheep. Furthermore, during lambing season adult ewes can easily be identified by their four square teats that appear in pairs with two on either side as this is where lambs feed from.
Reproductive Habits:
Another difference between lambs and adult sheep has to do with their reproductive habits. In order to propagate and expand the size of a flock, sheep need to reproduce. Lambs are seasonal reproductive animals and usually mate during certain months (usually, October to November). On the other hand, older ewes may mate throughout the year, making them less seasonal than lambs.
Lambs tend to be born in the late spring and early summer months, while adult sheep may bear young at any time of year. Lambs are usually the size of a large house cat at birth and can stand within 1–2 hours after delivery, although this varies by breed. Adult sheep, often referred to as ewes, require more time to give birth and typically take several hours to bear their young. Because of these differences, lambing season is considered shorter than the 50–120 days associated with shearing adult sheep.
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