Question

Which of the following is an exotic breed of sheep?
A. Nali
B. Lohi
C. Merino
D. Bakharwal

Answer 1

Exotic breeds are breeds used for crossbreeding. The word ‘Exotic’ means ‘foreign’ which is not native. An exotic is developed somewhere else and then brought to another area. An indigenous breed to a place will be an exotic breed to another place. This breed of sheep is known for its wool.

Complete answer: Merino is an exotic breed of sheep. It is the most popular fine wool breed of sheep across the world. These sheep live longer and yield better than any other sheep breed. The Merino breed of sheep is one of the most economically influential and historically relevant breeds of sheep and is known for its wool. They are an exceptional forager and are very adaptable with the environment. This breed is primarily bred for its wool, and the carcass size is normally smaller than that of sheep which are bred for meat.
a) Nali sheep: This breed grazes on the leaves of fodder trees such as Khejri and Babool. Nali sheep breeds are medium-sized sheep. This breed is present in several districts of Rajasthan, Rohtak and Hissar districts of Haryana and also in Uttar Pradesh.
b) The Lohi sheep: This breed is found in the areas of southern Punjab in Pakistan and the states of Rajasthan and Haryana in India. These sheep are used for carpet quality wool and meat production.
c) The Bakarwal: Also known as Bakharwal, Bakrawallah and Bakerwal. These sheep are found in the Kashmir region located between India and Pakistan and are also found in the Nuristan province of Afghanistan.
So, the correct answer is option C.

Note: Merino sheep have been domesticated and bred in various ways which do not allow them to survive well without undergoing regular shearing by their owners. These sheep must be shorn at least once every year as their wool never stops growing. If neglected, the over-accumulation of wool causes heat stress, mobility issues, and even blindness in sheep.