the Icelandic sheep

Posted on February 27, 2009 by cinzia

the icelandic sheep

Sheep were brought to Iceland from Norway, and it has adapted to the island territory during centuries. Because of this adaptation, the Icelandic sheep has now peculiar characteristics that distinguish it from its European ancestral parents: it has a very long fur, short legs and ears; its head is more round and woolly, and it usually delivers twins.

From June till September they can freely move around all the territory, so much that you can see white spots everywhere in the country.

Indeed, from the mountains ridges to the lava flows and on to the valley floors, sheep pasture undistributed without forming any big flock, but going around in small groups of three, composed by the mother and the two lambs born during the year.

In September, when temperature starts decreasing, shepherds gather these small woolly flocks on board of their off-road vehicles.