2006-09-23 11:20:42 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The sheep...wouldn't shrink. Because they are not made entirely of wool. They are animals. With skin, organs, etc. They are alive. If you went outside in a wool sweater, and it rained, would you shrink? Furhtermore, their wool...is growing. As long as they are alive. And lastly rain...is not at all like the washing/drying we do with our clothes.
2006-09-23 11:32:27 · answer #1 · answered by Master Maverick 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the wool's on a sheep, it's full of oil, and this oil is replaced by the skin of the sheep if it washes off. Once it's cut off and washed, the oil is gone and no longer repels water.
The sheep would shrink if it rained hot, soapy water, just as your wool sweater shrinks when you wash it in hot, soapy water. But neither sheep nor your wool sweater shrink in cool rain.
2006-09-23 18:26:03 · answer #2 · answered by pinkvariety 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But they do.
They start off as big as elephants - thought everyone knew that.
Obviously the ones you've seen have already started to shrink.
When they have been out in the rain for at least 6 months they disappear altogether and all you have left is a ball of wool.
2006-09-23 18:27:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because thier wool is coated with water repellent lanolin which prevents thier wool from becoming saturated with water, if they didnt have this they would become so heavy when it rained they would be unable to walk....
2006-09-23 23:09:40 · answer #4 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they're saturated with lanolin âº
Doug
2006-09-23 18:24:26 · answer #5 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who says they don't? Have you checked?
2006-09-23 18:25:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
water isn't hot enuf
2006-09-23 18:26:30 · answer #7 · answered by phyllis_neel 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is a really good question:)
2006-09-23 18:22:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋