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Vertebrates
Ovis aries (Feral Sheep)
Nomenclature
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Class: Mammalia (Mammals)
Species:
Ovis aries (Feral Sheep)
Vernacular names:
Vernacular name:
Feral Sheep
Media
SUMMARY
The Soay sheep resemble the original wild species and the domesticated Neolithic sheep brought to Britain about 5000 BC. The Soay animals may be the direct descendants of these sheep, although they may have been introduced by the Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries. When St Kilda was evacuated in 1930, the Soay sheep were left on the island of Soay, as were the flock of primitive blackface sheep on Boreray. The record shown on the map for North Uist refers to "feral sheep" and not to to Soay or Boreray sheep