AnAge entry for Ovis aries

Classification (HAGRID: 01978)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Artiodactyla
                Family: Bovidae
                    Genus: Ovis
Species
Ovis aries
Common name
Domestic sheep, or Mouflon
Synonyms
Ovis musimon, Ovis orientalis, Ovis musimon musimon, Ovis musimon ophion, Ovis aries musimon, Ovis aries ophion, Ovis ophion

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Maximum longevity
22.8 years (captivity)
Source
ref. 671
Sample size
Large
Data quality
High
Observations

Domestic sheep exhibit gradual senescence. The onset of reproductive senescence has been shown to occur at 5 and 6 years of age [0750]. One captive specimen lived 22.8 years [0671]. Variation in the insulin-like growth factor I receptor gene is associated with longevity in ewes [1161]. Furthermore, FOXO3 has also been associated with ageing in these animals, while calpastatin has not [1389].

Likewise to other farm animals, they may be culled due to lameness, skin lesions and issues in reproduction. They can also develop adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas [1389].

Life history traits (averages)

Female sexual maturity
548 days
Male sexual maturity
914 days
Gestation
146 days
Weaning
Litter size
1.58 (viviparous)
Litters per year
1
Inter-litter interval
365 days
Weight at birth
2,370 g
Weight at weaning
Adult weight
80,000 g
Postnatal growth rate
Maximum longevity residual
82%

Metabolism

Typical body temperature
312ºK or 38.8ºC or 101.8ºF
Basal metabolic rate
Not yet available

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 552475
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account (if available)
Encyclopaedia of Life
Search EOL
NCBI Taxonomy
Taxonomy ID 9940
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Internet
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