FEEDING AND DRINKING HABITS 



63 



Sheep prefer short herbage on an extensive range to a rampant 

 growth on a limited area. When placed on a tall plant growth 

 they nip off the ends of the plants and trim off the leaves, but usually 

 leave the stems standing. They are structurally adapted to feeding 

 on short herbage, because of their very mobile lips and sharp incisor 

 teeth. The upper lip is very mobile, which is in part due to the 

 vertical fissure in the center which permits one-half of the lip to 

 move somewhat independent of the other half. 



FIG. 32. The paths or terraces to the left and high up on the hillside were made by sheep 

 while grazing. (From Morris and Kirby, Chinook, Montana.) 



The inherent love which sheep have for change of feeding 

 ground is well known, and is always plainly indicated in the eager 

 and playful way in which they feed just after they are turned into 

 a fresh pasture. 



It is thought that the native home of the domesticated sheep was 

 in the high, treeless plateaus and mountains. Most sheep especially 

 enjoy feeding on the high places in their pastures, but some of the 

 modern breeds have been kept on low, level lands so long that it is 



