Animal Behavior and Sheep Handling Why do they do what they do? Animal Behavior and Sheep Handling

Objectives: Distinguish the difference between predator and prey species. List factors to consider when moving sheep. Explain the flight zone of animals.

Sheep are naturally… Gregarious Other examples of gregarious groups? Organisms that live in groups. Other examples of gregarious groups?

Big Bad Wolf Predator: Carnivorous animals that hunt other animals. Prey: Animal hunted by other animals.

As the eyes can see… Predators Eyes placed inside, narrow fields of vision. Have improved depth perception

As the eyes can see… Prey: Eyes located on outside of the head Each eye can generally cover a wider angle of view Allows prey species to view more than 270 degree field.

Don’t get too close… Flight Zone Distance at which sheep feel threatened, and will flee. What is your flight zone?

A Sheep’s Flight Zone

So what’s the secret? The key to moving livestock is position and understanding where the sheep are headed.

Things to consider: Flow of sheep Entrance Light Shadows Noises Previous experiences

Does this look scary?

Animal Behavior Assignment Choose an animal you have had experience being around. Livestock Pets Write a “Safety Plan” with guidelines, warnings, and descriptions for handling that animal. Animal’s Visual Field Temperament

Sheep Game! Log on to computer Go to www.sheepgame.co.uk Click Play Using what you’ve learned about sheep behavior, play the games!