Sheep communicate their emotions through the position and movement of their ears.

A 2011 study published in the journal 'Applied Animal Behaviour Science' by researchers at the University of Portsmouth confirmed that sheep use ear posture as a primary indicator of emotional state. The study observed sheep in various scenarios to categorize four distinct ear positions: horizontal, backwards, forward, and asymmetrical. Researchers found that sheep held their ears in a horizontal or 'neutral' position when they were calm and satisfied.When sheep experience negative stimuli or stress, they tend to hold their ears back or in a stiff, upright position. This physiological response is linked to the animal's sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body for a 'fight or flight' reaction. Interestingly, the study also noted that sheep show 'ear flips' or rapid changes in position when they are pleasantly surprised or enjoying a social interaction.Further research conducted at the INRA Research Centre in France explored how these signals help maintain flock cohesion. By reading these subtle cues, sheep can communicate danger to the rest of the group without making a sound that might alert a predator. This evolutionary trait is essential for social prey animals that rely on group vigilance for survival.Understanding these signals has significant implications for animal welfare and livestock management. By monitoring ear movements, farmers can identify individual sheep that are experiencing chronic stress or illness before physical symptoms become obvious. This non-invasive method of emotional assessment is now a standard tool used by animal behaviorists to evaluate the quality of life for domesticated ruminants.