Langbar Loop #7: Shaggy . . . but Smart!
The 7th cache in the series, a black 35mm film canister, is the second to be hidden at the side of Langbar Lane - the continuation of Narrow Lane beyond its upper (northern) end.
See Langbar Loop #1 for background info on the series including a map.
Moving up the lane, I was most amused to see an extremely hirsute sheep grazing in the field beyond the hawthorn hedge. It was well overdue for a shear and its luxuriant fleece so overgrown that is was barely recognisable as a sheep. It looked more like the distinctive (Old English Sheep)dog used to advertise a well-known brand of paint! So, was this a 'Deluxe' sheep?!
QI: Here are 10 facts about sheep personalities, intelligence and skills:
1. Sheep have extremely good memories. They can remember approximately 50 individuals (sheep and humans!) for years at a time.
2. Sheep display and recognise emotion by facial expressions with other sheep. Some are noticeable from their ears.
3. Sheep show signs of depression when experiencing stress or isolation, similar to those that humans show by hanging their heads and avoiding positive actions.
4. Sheep make different vocalisations to communicate with one another.
5. Ewes (female sheep) are very caring mothers and have deep bonds with their lambs. Each mother can recognise her lambs by their bleats alone.
6. About 8% of domestic rams prefer other males as sexual partners.
7. Sheep’s large rectangular pupils allow them to see approximately 270 degrees – 100 degrees more than humans. They can even see behind themselves without moving their heads.
8. Sheep are extremely good swimmers and have crossed rivers and lakes to find better pastures.
9. Sheep are very intelligent with brain power equal to that of monkeys. They have been known to solve problems in order to reach better food sources. In 2004, sheep were recorded rolling over cattle grids to get into gardens for grazing!
10. Sick sheep self-medicate, seeking out plants which make them feel better. They can detect what nutrients they are deficient in and learn which foods are beneficial or toxic by trying them.
And some special sheep . . .
1. Most overgrown sheep: an Australian sheep called 'Chris' has 40kg of wool sheared off after having lived in the wild for several years - see here for the story.
2. Most expensive sheep: a Texel lamb called Double Diamond sold for 350,000 guineas (£367,500) at the 2020 Scottish National Texel sale in Lanark - see here
3. Largest sheep: this was a Suffolk ram named Stratford Whisper 23H, which stood 1.09 m (43 in) tall in March 1991. It was owned by Joseph and Susan Schallberger of Whispering Hills Farm, Boring, Oregon, USA. He reached a weight of 628 lb (285k).
4. Largest sheep population: China has over 136M. Australia is 2nd with 79M
5. Longest sheep horns: belong to the magnificent Marco Polo sheep of central Asia which is the biggest type of sheep in the world. They can weigh up to 130 kg and the span of their horns can reach 1.5m with the records at 191 cm!
6. Oldest sheep: The oldest age recorded for a sheep was 28 years and 51 weeks for a crossbred sheep, owned by Griffiths & Davies of Dolclettwr Hall, Taliesin, near Aberystwyth, UK. The sheep gave birth to a healthy lamb in 1988 at the age of 28, after lambing successfully more than 40 times. She died on 24 January 1989.
7. Longest sheep survival: On 24 March 1978 Alex Maclennan found one ewe still alive after he had dug out 16 sheep buried in a snowdrift for 50 days near the river Skinsdale on Mrs Tyser's Gordonbush Estate in Sutherland, Highland, UK after the great January blizzard. The sheep's hot breath creates air-holes in the snow, and the animals gnaw their own wool for protein.
8. Highest ranking sheep: The highest ranking sheep was Lance Corporal Derby XXX (UK), who was promoted from Private to Lance Corporal by the Colonel of the Mercia Regiment, Brigadier Andrew Williams, at Dale Barracks, Chester, UK, on 1/9/15. As a serving member of the British Armed Forces, he was entitled to take a wage, which covered his food and veterinarian bills, and take annual leave, which he took at Christmas. He passed away on 27/11/15.
9. Greatest Number of Breeds: there are around 207 breeds in the world of which 56 occur in the UK - more than any other country.
So, next time you notice some sheep - shaggy or not - remember they are not dumb creatures . . . and show some respect!