why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Question

my jumpers do when I wash them

Answer 1

Thier wool is loaded with lanolin, kind of a greasy moisturizer that sheep give off, sort of like waterproofing for them. After clipping the wool is pressed or spun to remove it and then it can be used in soaps, moisturizers, suntan lotions and a host of other things. If they didn't have it the wool fibers would shrink. Incidentally, did you know that wool is the only fiber that when made into clothing will still keep you warm even when it's wet?

Answer 2

They do shrink. They get very small when it rains, that's why you can't see them. I think they shrink down to one inch. When the sun comes out, they puff right up again. I just love sheep for this reason. I also think that's why we count them, because when they're small, it's important to find them all.

Answer 3

Well, are sheep's wool woven together? No. Examine your jumpers. They're woven. So of course they'd constrict and "shrink." On the other hand, sheep wool is simply unruly and not woven.

Answer 4

I've always wondered if they use the wool round the sheeps ars.e for jumpers, and if so does cleaning get all the sh.it out?

Answer 5

Because the skin of the sheep is thick

Answer 6

Because the just drip dry. Take one and blow dry it and see what you get. One sheep squeezed like a sausage in his woolly coat. Be careful if you try it they get really pissed off.

Answer 7

Sheep have a waterproof woolen coat,

Answer 8

its not the water that shrinks cotton, its the hot air in the dryer that does.

Answer 9

Because the farmers keep pumping them up !!!

Answer 10

cos it doesnt rain hot water?