Range:

The first Navajo sheep were brought to North America in 1540. Today, the Navajo sheep that surround the south-western parts of the United States are descendants of this ancient genotype.

Habitat:

Dry desert plains and rocky areas

Characteristics:

Narrow, light-bodied sheep with long, clean legs. Coat is long on top and soft underneath. The sheep come in colors ranging from pure white to black, gray, browns, pinto and spotted. Because of the clean, long, lustrous wool they carry, their coats are used to make quality fabrics and rugs. Some rams have 4 fully developed horns.

 

Behavior:

These sheep are typically gregarious animals and live in flocks. All the animals in a flock react simultaneously and docilely follow their leaders, usually older experienced rams or ewes. The Navajo sheep is highly resistant to disease, and although it responds to individual attention, it needs no pampering to survive and prosper.

Reproduction:

The female (ewe) sheep has strong maternal instincts. Gestation lasts about 150 days. Twins are common, which the mother can easily raise, and often there are triplets. The ewes are fiercely protective of their young lambs, helping keep their survival rate high.