Hebridean Black-faced Sheep

tags: , ,

Hebridean Black-faced Sheep near Arnol (Isle of Lewis, Scotland)

Image: Dave Rintoul, Summer 2008 [larger view].

More like this

tags: Baile Tughaidh, Blackhouse Village, ancient human dwellings, Gearranan Scotland, Isle of Lewis Scotland, Image of the Day Baile Tughaidh. Blackhouse village at Gearranan (Isle of Lewis, Scotland). These thatched-roof, drystone walled houses were still inhabited until 1976. Image: Dave…
tags: Callanais Stone Circle, Callanish, Isle of Lewis Scotland, Image of the Day Callanish. Callanish (Callanais) stone circle on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. View from southeast. Image: Dave Rintoul, Summer 2008 [larger view].
tags: Callanis Stone Circle, Callanish, Isle of Lewis Scotland, Image of the Day Callanish (Callanais) stone circle on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. This image present a view of central monolith and central cairn. Image: Dave Rintoul, Summer 2008. [larger view].
tags: Butt of Lewis, Isle of Lewis, Isle of Lewis Scotland, Image of the Day Butt (north end) of the Isle of Lewis, approx. 58.5º N. Image: Dave Rintoul, Summer 2008 [larger view].

Is there any good reason why the front legs are so close together (to the point where the poor animal is almost knock-kneed!) whilst the rear ones are spaced appropriately (as far as I can see)?

It looks a bit weird and I can't decide if it's just the way it's standing, or if it's some deformity in this one animal, or if evolution or in-breeding had some influence on the way those front legs are shaped.

Okay, I made two serious copmments now, so sue me!

it's possible that the ram is standing like that because he is getting ready to .. erm, ram .. the photographer! okay, not sure, and i don't know the answer to your question. it's also possible that sheep are naturally knock-kneed ..