Altay Sheep

The Altay sheep is an indigenous breed from the Altay region in northern Xinjiang, China, historically reared by Kazakh and other pastoral peoples inhabiting the Altay Mountains and surrounding steppe. Its origins trace back centuries, shaped by the nomadic herding practices that defined life on the steppe. Bred for survival in extreme continental climates, the Altay sheep evolved into a distinctive fat-rumped type, storing energy reserves in its hindquarters to endure long winters and forage scarcity. We saw many of these on our trip, and never once did we forget to have a good laugh as they walked with their rumps swaying rhythmically. Traditionally, herders followed a transhumant cycle, moving their flocks between summer alpine pastures and lowland wintering grounds. This seasonal rhythm fostered the breed’s resilience and adapted it to both mountainous and semi-desert conditions. Of course, no one particularly cared about the biology of sheep on the trip, as we munched on the very species at lunch and dinner heartily. They tasted delicious.