Brazilian Somali
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Other names | |
| Country of origin | Brazil |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Height | |
| Face colour | black |
| |
The Brazilian Somali or Somális Brasileira is a Brazilian breed of domestic sheep. It derives from cross-breeding of local sheep with Blackheaded Persian stock imported to Brazil in 1939 from the West Indies.[5]: 770 It is among the ten Brazilian sheep breeds classified as "naturalised" or "local" in the country; a further thirteen are classed as "exotic".[6]: 49 It is a fat-rumped breed, and so may also be known as the Rabo Gordo, 'fat rump'.[5]: 770
History
The Brazilian Somali derives from cross-breeding of local sheep with Blackheaded Persian stock imported to Brazil in 1939 from the West Indies.[5]: 770 It is among the ten Brazilian sheep breeds classified as "naturalised" or "local" in the country; a further thirteen are classed as "exotic".[6]: 49
In 1972 the total number of the sheep in Brazil was estimated at 120000–160000 head; in 2007 the conservation status of the breed was listed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as "not at risk".[1]: 13 In 2020 a total of 2546 head was reported; and in 2026 the conservation status was listed as "at risk/endangered".[2]
Characteristics
The Brazilian Somali, like the Blackheaded Persian from which it derives, is white with a black head. It is a hair sheep, growing hair rather than wool; it is polled (hornless) and belongs to the fat-rumped group of breeds.[5]: 770 Average body weights are about 42 kg for ewes and 70 kg for rams; average heights at the withers are approximately 55 cm and 60 cm respectively.[2]
References
- ^ a b Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to: The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Breed data sheet: Somali Brasileiro / Brazil (Sheep). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2026.
- ^ Somális Brasileira (in Portuguese). Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul: Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Ovinos. Archived 23 March 2026.
- ^ Valerie Porter, Ian Lauder Mason (2020). Mason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties (sixth edition). Wallingford; Boston: CABI. ISBN 9781789241532.
- ^ a b c d Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
- ^ a b Arthur da Silva Mariante, Concepta McManus, José Francisco Mendonça (editors) (2003). Country Report on the State of Animal Genetic Resources: Brazil. Brasília: Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology. ISSN 0102-0110, 99. Annex to: Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 17 July 2021.