Santa Cruz sheep facts for kids
The Santa Cruz sheep is a very rare type of domestic sheep. These sheep once lived wild on Santa Cruz Island, which is part of the Channel Islands of California. They are small and tough. Most of these sheep were removed from the island to protect the island's natural plants. Today, there are fewer than 200 Santa Cruz sheep left. People mostly raise this breed for its wool.
Contents
History of Santa Cruz Sheep
How Santa Cruz Sheep Arrived
Around the mid-1800s, sheep were first brought to Santa Cruz Island. These sheep were likely breeds like the Merino, Rambouillet, or Churro. By the 1860s, thousands of sheep were living and eating freely on the island.
Sheep Living in the Wild
Over the 1900s, sheep farming on the island became less common. Many of the sheep began to live in the wild, without human care. They became a "feral" population.
Protecting the Island's Nature
In 1978, an organization called The Nature Conservancy took over the island. At that time, there were more than 20,000 wild sheep on Santa Cruz Island. These many sheep were eating too much of the island's plants. This was harming the natural environment.
To protect the island, The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service started to remove or kill the remaining sheep. This helped the island's plants grow back. Today, fewer than 200 Santa Cruz sheep exist. Because of their low numbers, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy calls them "critical." A small group of these sheep now lives on the mainland, often through adoption programs.
Characteristics of Santa Cruz Sheep
Size and Hardiness
Like many sheep breeds that lived on islands, Santa Cruz sheep are quite small. They are also very tough and strong. They are good at finding their own food. Female Santa Cruz sheep usually do not need help when they are having lambs.
Wool Quality
Santa Cruz sheep are special among wild island sheep because of their wool. Even though they lived wild, their wool is medium to fine and feels soft. This is because they came from breeds known for their fine wool. Most Santa Cruz sheep have white wool. However, some sheep in the breed are known to have colored wool.
