Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz sheep descend from domestic sheep that became feral on Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands of California. Their ancestry is usually linked to Merino, Rambouillet, Churro, or similar 19th-century stock, but island life shaped them into a small, hardy conservation breed. Unlike many island sheep, they can carry a medium to fine fleece rather than a purely coarse primitive coat.
Modern Santa Cruz sheep are rare and are kept on the mainland by conservation-minded breeders. Their value is not high output but genetic history, thrift, lambing ability, and an unusual combination of island hardiness with usable wool. They should not be confused with Saint Croix hair sheep from the Caribbean, despite the similar name. Breeders need careful flock records, avoidance of close inbreeding, and selection for healthy, functional animals. The breed's future depends on small flocks that can keep it visible without losing the qualities that island selection preserved.
Colors: Badgerface, Black, Blackbelly, Broken, Brown, Gray, Grey, Gulmoget, Katmoget, Moorit, Piebald, Red, Roan, Silver, Solid, Spotted, Tan, White, White with Black Points, White with Brown Points
