Speed won’t be the last thing that crosses your mind when your think about sheep, but the fact that they are gentle and docile will likely pop up. However, you came to the right place if the question: how fast can a sheep run? has piqued your curiosity.
Sheep can run as fast as 30 miles per hour, but remember that all sheep don’t run at the same speed. To escape predators, sheep will run at a minimum rate of 17 miles per hour.
Generally, these non-aggressive, flock animals will stay in a group since they feel safest together. Running isn’t something they often do unless provoked.
How Fast Can Sheep Run? (Explained Further)
As mentioned, while running, sheep can attain speeds of 30 miles per hour and maintain their top speed for approximately 2 minutes. However, remember some sheep are faster than others.
Sheep will run at a top average speed of 15 miles per hour when they are not trying to escape a predator. However, the figures will go higher when trying to save their lives.
Moreover, according to Defenders of Wildlife, a ram can charge at speeds of 20mph or even quicker. Also, they can run uphill at 15 miles per hour.
In a sprint race between sheep and humans, the sheep will outrun humans, and so will most mammals, considering their four limbs give them an advantage. However, humans can outrun nearly all animals in a long-distance race.
Typically, four-legged animals can reach higher sprinting speeds than two-legged animals like humans because their trunk muscles allow them to gallop, facilitating propulsion.
What Influences The Speed Of Sheep?
Sheep are not the fastest runners for a few reasons we will discuss in this section.
1. Legs to Body Ratio
Sheep have shorter legs than their bodies, so they cannot cover too much ground with every stride.
Larger animals run faster than smaller ones because of their long legs. However, this only applies to a certain point, considering the world’s fastest land animals aren’t the smallest or the largest.
Nonetheless, the body needs to be proportional to the legs to allow the animal to cover more ground during each stride.
2. Small Lungs
Sheep have a relatively small lung capacity, which hinders them from running fast by limiting their ability to inhale oxygen, causing them to tire out quickly. Animals usually require a large lung capacity to run faster and longer.
Bigger lungs allow the animal to absorb more oxygen by breathing more air, keeping them going much longer.
3. Dense Wool
While not all sheep generate wool, about 90% of the sheep population do, with the production ranging from 2 to 30 pounds annually. Some sheep have thicker wool than others.
Sheep produce wool to keep warm, especially in the chilling cold winters. However, despite its importance, wool has a negative side as the extra weight slows them down.
Do Sheep Run Away From Predators? (Sheep Defence Mechanism)
Sheep use flight, avoidance, gregariousness, or rely on their friend dog to escape predators. Sheep are pretty vulnerable animals as their gentle, meek, and quiet nature makes them easy prey to different predators like foxes, coyotes, and wolves.
The sheep’s instincts will kick in when they find themselves in the presence of a predator. However, sheep must rely on subtle ways to defend themselves without sharp claws, strong legs, and sharp teeth.
Check out these mechanisms that sheep use to defend themselves.
1. Avoidance and Running
Your sheep will likely employ rapid flight and avoidance when they see a predator like a coyote or a fox. Free-range sheep are better equipped to avoid predators than domesticated ones who rely primarily on dogs and humans for protection.
Running isn’t the best way for domesticated sheep to escape predators. Instead, they have a greater chance of survival by staying in a group; the bigger, the better.
Running away from predators will only work for sheep if they can outrun them, get protected by a fence, or escape into a safe place.
2. Gregariousness
Sheep are flock animals; hence you will see them in a group most of the time, whether when facing a predator or just relaxing.
However, although these animals tend to follow each other a lot, they keep a flight distance between each other.
Moreover, these animals often follow a leader, and a sheep separated from their flock will get anxious and stressed. Sheep use their sense of smell, powerful hearing, and good eyesight to detect predators early and, in turn, run away and gather together.
3. With The Assistance Of Guard Dogs
Many sheep owners rely on their sheepdogs to protect their sheep from danger. However, this strategy is more effective if you have multiple guard dogs, as they will work together to deter predators from attacking your sheep.
Besides protecting sheep from predators, these dogs also help lead them from one feeding area to another. You can also use donkeys and llamas to guard your sheep.
Why Do Sheep Run From Dogs?
Sheep run away from dogs because they view them as predators, so they instinctively move away or gather close to each other for security. Dogs descend from wolves, who tend to eat sheep when they get the opportunity, so it’s natural for sheep to be scared of dogs.
If you work your sheep with dogs, they will develop the confidence to be around them over time. Your sheep will move calmly and quietly instead of running away, especially if the dog moves calmly and with predictable steps.
Besides running away from predators like dogs, sheep will also run to get water and food, among other things. You can tell your sheep have been running fast if they breathe rapidly and heavily.
People Also Questions
1. Can sheep run?
Sheep run in the face of danger or when frightened. Loud noises, quick movements, and even dogs are enough to have sheep charging away in fear.
2. How fast can a ram run?
A ram (male adult sheep) can charge at another ram at 20 miles per hour (32kph) to exert its dominance.
3. Can sheep run fast?
Sheep don’t run fast, but they use their speed when necessary to avoid danger and get to a safe place.
Final Remarks
Besides answering the question, “how fast can a sheep run,” I hope this post also gave you an insight into what would make sheep run and their defense mechanism. Moreover, remember that sickness, tiredness, and too much weight can slow down your sheep.
