Farm animals raised for wool and meat are known as sheep. Domestic sheep are domesticated ruminant mammals belonging to the species Ovis aries, and people have bred them for thousands of years for fiber, meat, milk, and skins.
Wool grows as a dense coat and is harvested by shearing, usually once a year, rather than by killing the animal. Meat from young sheep is called lamb, while meat from mature sheep is generally called mutton. These terms describe the product or age category, not different animal species.
Sheep farming varies widely by environment. Some breeds are selected primarily for fine wool, others for rapid meat production, and some are dual-purpose breeds. Merino sheep, for example, are especially associated with high-quality wool, while many commercial flocks emphasize lamb production.
Sheep are often confused with goats because both are grazing livestock, but they differ in horns, tails, coats, and behavior. Sheep typically have woolly fleece, while goats generally produce hair or specialized fibers such as cashmere and mohair.