Are there sheep in Iceland?

Today it is forbidden to import sheep to Iceland, so it has remained very isolated in Iceland and is therefore one of the purest breeds of sheep in the world. There are around 500.000 sheep in Iceland during the winter and 800.000 during the summer, that means there are more sheep in Iceland then there are humans.

How often are Icelandic sheep sheared?

The sheep are normally sheared twice a year. Originally imported to Iceland in the 9th and 10th centuries by Viking settlers, Icelandic sheep are part of the North European short-tailed variety, which was dominant in Scandinavian and the British Isles during the 8th and 9th century.

Why do Icelandic sheep have sextuplets?

The gene causes an increase in fertility, which can cause triplets, quads, quints and even sextuplets to be born! Icelandic sheep have evolved to survive on pasture and foliage, as Iceland is not a grain-producing country due to its climate.

Do Icelandic sheep have different colors?

The colors of Icelandic sheep are inherited in a similar way to those of other sheep, but they display more variety in color and pattern than most other breeds, and some variations are seen which are not seen in other sheep.