Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Sheep have a fairly wide fi eld of mono-
focal vision and a small area of bifocal
vision. They also have blind spots
directly in front and in back of their
bodies. When sheep are sheared, they
can see everything between points 1
and points A on either side of their
bodies. As their fl eece grows out, they
see less toward the back but can still
see everything between points 1 and
points B.
11
bifocal
2
blind spot
B
B
blind spot
A
A
They also have a small area of bifocal vision directly in front of their noses.
This bifocal vision allows them to focus on an item with both eyes at the same
time and greatly enhances depth perception. This is why you'll sometimes
spot a sheep staring at something right in front of its nose with great intensity:
it's bringing the item into focus with both eyes. Scientists believe that sheep
have keen vision and that they see and can differentiate among colors.
Hearing
After sight, hearing is probably the most important of the sheep's senses. Sheep
hear at a much higher frequency of sound than you do. Low-pitched rumbling
sounds won't really disturb them, but any kind of high-pitched sound, like
that of a human yelling, will send them off the deep end. Very loud or novel
sounds will also cause stress. On the other hand, with training, your sheep
can learn that certain loud sounds have meaning, like a whistle that signals it's
time to come for food. Ewes and lambs can hear, and differentiate between,
