What's the Difference Between a Goat and a Sheep?

A main difference between the two is how they forage. Sheep are grazers; they ramble slowly eating short plants close to the ground. Goats are browsers; they look for leaves, twigs, vines, and shrubs. And their agility allows them to attain charming positions in pursuit of their forage.

Are sheep and goats the same?

While sheep and goats seem similar and can be mated, they belong to different genera in the subfamily Caprinae of the family Bovidae. Sheep belong to the genus Ovis and have 54 chromosomes, while goats belong to the genus Capra and have 60 chromosomes. The offspring of a sheep-goat pairing is generally stillborn.

Why farmers separate sheep from goats?

Goats ARE smarter and bolder than sheep, and the wether can be trained to come when the shepherd or herd-master calls; then the sheep will follow. However, for practical purposes, the two species often ARE separated because sheep and goats have different needs. A sheep can really damage a male goat's hip if it rams it.