Gulf Coast Native Sheep
Ovis aries
The oldest type of sheep in the United States, a hardy breed descended from Spanish settlers' flocks that handles heat and humidity well.
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About the Gulf Coast Native Sheep
Gulf Coast native sheep come from sheep first brought to North America by Spanish settlers, making them the oldest type of sheep in the U.S. They were bred to handle the heat and humidity of the Southeast, and their light wool keeps them comfortable in summer. They have wool-free faces and legs. Males weigh 120 to 150 pounds and females 100 to 120 pounds.[1]
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Ovis aries[1]
- Size
- About 3.5 feet long.[1]
- Weight
- Males 120 to 150 pounds. Females 100 to 120 pounds.[1]
- Lifespan
- About 12 years.[1]
- Diet
- Herbivore. Hay, plants, grain and produce.[1]
- Where it lives
- The Gulf Coast of the southeastern United States.[1]
- Babies
- Usually one birth a year. Twins are very common.[1]
Fun facts
Vocabulary
- domesticated
- Tamed and raised by people over many generations.
- breed
- A group of domestic animals that people have raised to share certain traits.
- ewe / ram
- Names for an adult female (ewe) and adult male (ram) sheep.
- parasite
- A living thing that lives on or in another and harms it.
- hoof rot
- An infection of an animal's hoof.
See it in person
- Zoo AtlantaAtlanta, Georgia · All AnimalsSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗
Sources
- [1] Zoo Atlanta. “Gulf Coast Native Sheep.” https://zooatlanta.org/animal/gulf-coast-native-sheep/ (accessed 2026-10-02)
Facts last checked 2026-10-02.
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