What is a Male Sheep Called?

Two male sheep
Male sheep are either called rams or wethers, depending on if they've been castrated or not. Other common ways to refer to a male sheep include the terms yearling rams, ram lambs, and teaser rams.

A male sheep is called a ram

A male sheep is known as a ram, unless it’s been castrated, in which case it’s called a whether. 

Rams younger than one year old are known as ram lambs.

What are the different names for a male sheep?

A ram standing on a mountain
TermMeaning
RamAn uncastrated male sheep
WetherA castrated male sheep
Ram LambAn uncastrated male sheep under one year of age
Yearling RamAn uncastrated male sheep between 1-2 years old
Teaser RamAn uncastrated male sheep who has had a vasectomy
BuckSlang for a ram in the United States
TupSlang for a ram in the United Kingdom
  • Rams: Rams are uncastrated male sheep. Rams under a year old are called ram lambs, while year-old rams are known as yearling rams.
  • WethersWethers are castrated male sheep. Wethers are less aggressive and easier to manage than rams.
  • Ram lambs: Ram lambs are uncastrated male sheep that are under one year of age.
  • Yearling rams: Yearling rams are uncastrated male sheep that are between 1-2 years old. Once rams are a year of age, they will have reached sexual maturity and can be used for breeding.
  • Teaser rams: A teaser ram is an uncastrated ram who has had a vasectomy, meaning its testosterone levels are maintained but its ability to procreate is gone. Teaser rams are used to synchronize the sheep heat cycle and lambing periods of a flock of ewes.
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Slang terms for a male sheep

Joanne

Joanne is a nocturnal person who loves traveling and coffee. She’s also an animal lover (and rescuer) who makes it a point to befriend every animal she meets. Her passion for learning led her to writing about various topics. As someone who dreams of becoming an “animal whisperer,” she aims to continue learning about animals–particularly sheep, and at the same time, share her knowledge here at Sheep Caretaker.

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