Unlike many other animals, white coloration in sheep is a dominant gene, rather than a recessive gene or mutation like albinism and leucism. Therefore, black sheep are fairly rare, occurring in about 25% of cases when two white sheep that carry the recessive black gene produce offspring. Scientific Name: Ovis aries Characteristics: This woolly black sheep figure is putting his best foot forward. Finely detailed to accurately represent the crimped curly wool of sheep, each figure is individually hand-painted and unique. Size and Color: Our black sheep figure is 3 ¼ inches long and 3 inches high, or about the size of a standard deck of playing cards stood on its side. This sheep features the rare black wool coat seen in very few sheep. The Black Sheep is part of the Safari Farm collection. All of our products are Non-toxic and BPA-free.