[Jacob-list] Short tale/Long story

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/4/2004 7:50:28 AM Central Standard Time, 
melanie.boxall at sympatico.ca writes:

> And I leave tails on.
> I figure nature put them there for a reason.
> 

The early domestic sheep (say 3000 BC) and wild sheep have short tails.  To 
increase flock viability, early flocks (these were the "fat tail" type) were 
selectively bred for fatter and longer tails; the "fat tail" being an energy 
reserve in arid regions.  The European/British "thin" tail has its roots in the 
migration (spread of the Roman Empire) from Mediterraenean areas to Steppes and 
Gaul and points North and Iberia (Spain) to Gaul and North.  Domestic sheep 
are descended fom the "wild type" with short tail .... the improved sheep "wild 
type" were bred for long tail.

Nature apparently put short tails on sheep; shepherds (by selective breeding) 
made them longer.  The "hock" length Jacob tail (16-17 vertebrae) suggests it 
is a cross between an "older" stock and more "recent" stock.

Fred Horak
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