Of goats and sheep

Barbados has its own breed of sheep - called the Barbados Black Belly Sheep. Most tourists look at them and call them goats because they don't have any wool. In doing a bit of research about this particular sheep, I came across some differences and interesting facts about sheep and goats.

• Sheep and goat are two different species. They look different and their chromosome compositions are not the same. That is why you can’t crossbreed the two animals - not easily anyway.

• The eaiest way of telling goats from sheep is by looking at the tail – goats’ tails are erect while those of sheep are hang down.

• Sheep meat is called mutton while goat meat is chevon. I never knew this - thought it was all mutton.

• Goats are more independent than a sheep. A goat will browse, picking leaves here and grass there, while a sheep will graze, putting its head down like a cow and feeding on the grass available in its path.

• Sheep are stupid. That makes them easier to herd. Goats on the other hand, choose their own paths and are harder to control. Goats will also climb.

All these years, goats have been getting bad press. In actual fact, goats are independent, outgoing, intelligent, aggressive, adventurous and choosy. Sheep on the other had are more . . . erm. . . sheepish? :)