Animal Diaries Archive

Playing around

24 November 2006

It’s a well known fact that all the animals in Kids Zoo have their own personality. They all interact with us differently; they also play with each other in different ways. The most common we see is chasing each other around, or even finding out who is the strongest. This means the goats and sheep like to headbutt each other... they're not hurting each other, just playing, or in self defense.

Goats and sheep both play with their heads, although each of them have very different styles. Goats have large protruding horns that allow them to pick things up and move them. Sheep have horns that curl around their head, giving the sheep a helmet, so to speak. Both sheep and goats have very strong legs and shoulders; this is to allow them to be able to do the things they enjoy, one being playing.

When sheep play, they rear back slowly and run forward to each other, leaping at the last second so they can use all their weight behind the charge. When goats play they will jump up onto their back legs and jump down to the other goat or sheep. It’s quite amazing to watch.So when you’re in Kids Zoo next look around, you just might see our beautiful sheep and goats having some fun.