(4) MENGENAL DOMBA

Summary

This educational video compares sheep (domba) and goats (kambing) by exploring their differences in taxonomy, anatomy, behavior, and feeding habits. Despite belonging to the same subfamily, the two animals are distinct in many ways, such as chromosome count, gland functions, physical traits like tails, beards, and horns, and feeding preferences. Sheep are grazers that prefer grass, while goats are browsers that eat leaves and twigs. Their behaviors also differ, with goats being more independent and curious, while sheep are social animals that stay in flocks. Understanding these differences is vital for proper animal care and management.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sheep and goats belong to the same subfamily but differ in genus, with goats in the *Capra* genus and sheep in the *Ovis* genus.
• 😀 Sheep have 54 chromosomes (27 pairs), while goats have 60 chromosomes (30 pairs), showing a key genetic difference.
• 😀 Sheep possess three types of glands (infraorbital, interdigital, and inguinal) that serve social and reproductive purposes, whereas goats produce a strong-smelling substance from glands near their horns.
• 😀 Only male goats have beards, while sheep do not have beards.
• 😀 Sheep have a cleft in their upper lips, unlike goats, which have smooth upper lips.
• 😀 Sheep typically have long, downward-pointing tails, while goats have shorter, upward-pointing tails.
• 😀 Some sheep have horns, but goat horns can vary, with some goats genetically hornless.
• 😀 Sheep have wool that is soft, curly, and requires regular shearing, while goats have hair that doesn’t need as much grooming.
• 😀 Sheep are grazers, preferring short grasses, whereas goats are browsers, feeding on leaves, twigs, and shrubs.
• 😀 Goats are more agile than sheep, capable of climbing trees or steep rocks to reach food, which sheep cannot do.
• 😀 The lecture explains the process of docking (cutting off the tail) in sheep to prevent the buildup of feces and disease, particularly in breeds with long tails.

Q & A

What is the primary taxonomic difference between sheep and goats?

Sheep and goats belong to the same subfamily, but they differ in their genus. Sheep belong to the genus Ovis, while goats belong to the genus Capra.

How do the number of chromosomes in sheep and goats differ?

Sheep have 54 chromosomes, or 27 pairs, while goats have 60 chromosomes, or 30 pairs.

What is the function of the sebaceous glands found in sheep?

The sebaceous glands in sheep, located near the eyes, under the skin, and around the scrotum and udder, produce lanolin, which plays a role in social ranking, reproductive behavior, and marking territory.

Why is the beard unique to goats?

The beard is only found in male goats, and it is a distinguishing feature between goats and sheep, as sheep do not have beards.

What is the difference in the shape and orientation of the tails of sheep and goats?

Sheep typically have longer tails that point downward, while goat tails are shorter and point upward.

What is docking in sheep, and why is it performed?

Docking is the practice of cutting off part of a sheep’s tail. It is done to prevent feces from accumulating, which could attract flies and spread diseases, and to facilitate wool shearing.

How does the feeding behavior of sheep differ from that of goats?

Sheep are grazers, meaning they prefer to feed on short grass near the ground, while goats are browsers, preferring to eat leaves, twigs, and other plants above the ground.

Why do goats have a more varied diet compared to sheep?

Goats are more adaptable in their feeding habits and can eat a wider range of vegetation, including leaves, branches, and even certain types of woody plants, unlike sheep, which primarily consume grasses.

What physical feature in goats helps them reach higher vegetation?

Goats have the ability to stand on their hind legs to reach higher branches, leaves, and shrubs, which is part of their browsing behavior.

How do the ears of sheep and goats differ?

Sheep typically have upright, narrow ears, while goats have a variety of ear shapes and sizes, including both upright and drooping ears.