Abandoned Spotty Lamb Finds New Mum

[Guest RosieFT]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-10/spotted-lamb-seeks-dalmation-mother/4190060

Abandoned spotty lamb finds new mum

Updated August 10, 2012 15:37:43

PHOTO: Spot the difference: a lamb and the dalmatian that has adopted it (Julie Bolton)

MAP: Tanunda 5352

A lamb with markings like a dalmatian dog is turning heads in South Australia's Barossa Valley.

The lamb belongs to local dalmatian breeder Julie Bolton and has been adopted by one of her dogs after being abandoned by its mother.

Ms Bolton says she laughed when she first saw the animal.

AUDIO: Dalmatian adopts abandoned dotted lamb (ABC News)

"It is truly spotted. Black spots on a white-based coat which is the same as a dalmatian," she said.

"Now the mother who doesn't have puppies at the moment is actually cleaning it and licking it and mothering it and it tries to mother up to her udder.

"The lamb follows the dog but it gets its milk from me from the bottle."

'Not unusual'

University of Adelaide animal behaviour expert Dr Susan Hazel says bonds between different species are not uncommon.

Dr Hazel says the fact that the animals are the same colours may have nothing to do with their bond.

"The striking thing about this particular story is that the animals look alike. That's why people like it. It's a cute picture but it's not an unusual story," she said.

"It's hard to know what goes on in the mind of an animal but I think a lamb, even with spots, a dog's going to know it's not a puppy.

"There are neuropeptides that we know are related to the formation of bonds in animals and also in humans.

"The bond that lambs form with their mother plays a very important part so I don't think just looking alike would be enough for a lamb to bond."

PHOTO: A genuine sheep dog: this spotty lamb has been been adopted by a dalmatian (Julie Bolton)

[ari.g]

Too cute. The pic is adorable :)

[Puppoochi]

:love: that's just sooo cute.

[Jetson]

Super cute. We have a baby lamb at the moment. She is very sweet.

[persephone]

Very pretty lamb :)

We have trouble at lambing time ..and cannot use dogs that are large and have a lot of white, otherwise tiny lambs get confused and follow a moving figure that isn't their Mum.

Dogs seem to enjoy mothering lambs - neighbour has a pet ewe with twins ..and their Lab bitch follows them most of the day ..licking the lambs, and playing with them, luckily 'Mum' is used to the dog, and so 'shares' happily :)