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Domesticated sheep are herd animals that are bred for agricultural trade. A flock of sheep is mated by a single ram, which has either been chosen by a farmer or, in feral populations, has established dominance through physical contests with other rams. [1] Sheep have a breeding season (tupping) in the autumn, though some can breed year-round. [1]
Goats and sheep are often collectively described as small ruminants, and tend to be studied together rather than separately. [75] Both of them are known to be less affected by climate change than cattle, [3]: 747 with goats in particular considered one the most climate-resilient domestic animals, being second only to camels. [76]
Sheep farming in Namibia (2017). According to the FAOSTAT database of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the top five countries by number of head of sheep (average from 1993 to 2013) were: mainland China (146.5 million head), Australia (101.1 million), India (62.1 million), Iran (51.7 million), and the former Sudan (46.2 million). [2]
Without ovulation, she may enter interestrus, which is the combined stages of diestrus and anestrus, before reentering estrus. With the induction of ovulation, the female becomes pregnant or undergoes a non-pregnant luteal phase, also known as pseudopregnancy. Cats are polyestrous but experience a seasonal anestrus in autumn and late winter. [19]
Embryonic diapause [a] (delayed implantation in mammals) is a reproductive strategy used by a number of animal species across different biological classes.In more than 130 types of mammals where this takes place, the process occurs at the blastocyst stage of embryonic development, [1] and is characterized by a dramatic reduction or complete cessation of mitotic activity, arresting most often ...
In response to the conditions of the environment, some mammals, such as bat delay the implantation due to the cold temperature in winter. [23] Another factor is due to the shortage of food stocks during winter as the insects are being driven away and as the result, bat hibernate in pregnant condition. [24]
Aestivation (Latin: aestas (summer); also spelled estivation in American English) is a state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, although taking place in the summer rather than the winter. Aestivation is characterized by inactivity and a lowered metabolic rate, that is entered in response to high temperatures and arid conditions. [ 1 ]
A study of this phenomenon concluded that goats and sheep are short-day breeders. Mating in most sheep breeds begins in summer or early autumn. [64] Mating in sheep is also affected by melatonin, that advances the onset of the breeding season; [65] and thyroxine, that terminates the breeding season. [66]