In summary, there is strong evidence that sheep do possess an expert system for recognizing the faces of individual sheep, and to some extent humans, and that this reflects recognition of the individual as opposed simply to a complex visual image.
As with some other animals such as dogs and monkeys, sheep are social animals that can recognise other sheep as well as familiar humans.
Conclusion. The results of our study show that sheep have advanced face-recognition abilities, similar to those of humans and non-human primates. Sheep are able to recognize familiar and unfamiliar human faces.
Sheep can remember 50 faces, but only 50. Wait, so what happens to face #1 when face #51 comes along? Well, it takes more than 200 neurons for a sheep to simultaneously record the faces of its herd.
Despite some popular beliefs, sheep are intelligent animals with great memories. Research has shown that sheep can recognize up to 50 other sheep faces, and remember them for two years. They are even able to recognize human faces!
TWO: Sheep are naturally friendly. They can wag their tails, like dogs, and they form strong bonds with other sheep, goats…and people.
Contrary to popular misconception, sheep are extremely intelligent animals capable of problem solving. They are considered to have a similar IQ level to cattle and are nearly as clever as pigs. Like various other species including humans, sheep make different vocalizations to communicate different emotions.
In terms of human faces, a previous study also showed that sheep were able to recognize a specific familiar stockman from their face picture and exhibited an emotional response (vocalization) to it even after not having seen this individual for over a year [8].
We have been able to demonstrate in behavioural choice maze experiments some ability of sheep to distinguish between sheep and human voices (Kendrick et al. 1995). More recently we have started to analyse sheep voices in more detail using sound spectrographic analysis approaches.
Sheep are likely to be more intelligent than generally regarded. They respond readily to food calls, may problem solve, learn their names, carry packs, and can even be clicker trained.
Sheep are very gentle animals and were one of the first animals to be domesticated. They can differentiate facial expressions, and prefer a smile to a frown.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
They can interpret emotions on the faces of other sheep and can remember sheep faces over years. They can also discriminate human faces, even when those faces are shown to them in different orientations. Sheep are emotional animals and, like us, can feel optimistic or pessimistic based on their prior experiences.
When faced with such situations, docile sheep can become agitated and may even rush people who are trying to work with them. Sheep are prey animals and their natural instinct is to flee when in a situation they perceive as dangerous.
Like us, sheep experience fear when they're separated from their social groups or approached by strangers. Sheep's heart rates have been found to increase by 20 beats per minute when they're unable to see any members of their flock and by 84 beats per minute when approached by a man and a dog.
If you can get one sheep moving, then the rest will most likely follow. Leaders tend to be the most dominant sheep in the flock. Sheep will also follow someone they trust and know. Sheep are hesitant to move towards the dark or into an enclosed area.
When pairing lambs together, sometimes twins, she looked at how they reacted to each other having their tail docked. She said in the case of twins, the lambs showed a form of empathy. "They were looking at their own tails as well." But in the case of sheep who were not related, it was not the same.
It has also been observed that sheep will change ear postures very frequently when they are stressed, while the ear postures change less often when in a more positive state such as feeding or ruminating.
Sheep can be affectionate, curious, and playful beings, but there are times when they may prefer to be left alone. Even the most docile sheep in your sanctuary might decide they need some alone time, and it's critical to recognize the signs they're trying to give you before caution turns to agitation, or worse.
Sheep have a strong instinct to follow the sheep in front of them. When one sheep decides to go somewhere, the rest of the flock usually follows, even if it is not a good "decision." For example, sheep will follow each other to slaughter.
Sheep make excellent BFFs by forming deep and lasting bonds and sticking up for their weaker friends during fights. Sheep even grieve at the loss of their friends when they go missing.
Ravens and other members of the corvid family (crows, jays, and magpies) are known to be intelligent. They can remember individual human faces, expertly navigate human environments (like trash cans), and they even hold funerals for their dead.
Unsurprisingly, chimpanzees are one of the most intelligent animals on this planet—next to humans, of course. Similar to how humans inherit their intelligence from their mother, a chimpanzee's intelligence also greatly relies on their genes.
Sheep are frightened by sudden loud noises, such as yelling or barking. In response to loud noises and other unnatural sounds, sheep become nervous and more difficult to handle. This is due to the release of stress-related hormones.