Color and pattern: are all Soay brown with a white belly and white rump patch?
Approximately two thirds of the sheep on Hirta are dark (including black) and one third are tan or buff colored. The majority of these are wild-type or mouflon pattern, with white belly, white rump patch and often white markings around the eyes and under the chin. This coloration is one of the Soay’s primitive characteristics. These coat colors suggest an evolutionary sequence beginning with wild sheep (with mouflon markings) and ending with advanced modern breeds which are typically white. [Clutton-Brock, 2004] A few self-colored animals, both black and tan are also seen.These show no color pattern whatsoever. Most seem to be black, but occasionally tan appears and either can produce the other. A few black faced, white faced and skewbald animals are seen on Hirta (and in mainland flocks in both the UK the US.). These are all part of the Soays natural color range and not believed to be due to the influence of improved breeds.
